Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Pharmacy closure concerns majority of adult in England, YouGov polling reveals

YouGov polling commissioned by the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) has revealed that majority of the people responding to the poll said that they would be concern by the pharmacy closure in their locality.

The results show the extent of the public backing for a Pharmacy First approach – PSNC has been arguing that a fully-funded service would be beneficial for pharmacies, patients and the wider NHS.


The poll witnessed 1,774 adults’ participation from England. It showed 68 per cent of people agree that they would find it easier to seek health advice for common conditions, such as skin conditions or indigestion, at a community pharmacy rather than a GP surgery. Only 11 per cent disagreed that this would be easier.

While 75 per cent of people agree that they would like to see community pharmacies offering more healthcare services such as treating urinary tract infections or sore throats. Only 6 per cent strongly disagreed with this.

When asked how important, if at all, are the services provided by community pharmacies to them, their family, or community, 78 per cent indicted this was very important. Only 14 per cent said this wasn’t important.

77 per cent said they would be very concerned if the pharmacy they use most often were to close permanently. Only 19 per cent said they would not be very concerned.

PSNC believes if the government commits to a fully funded ‘Pharmacy First’ service, it could build positively on the contributions pharmacies make in local communities and, with adequate funding, alleviate wider pressures in the primary care system and the NHS.

It has also warned that without any further funding into the sector, more unplanned closures of pharmacies are increasingly likely, running the risk of reduced access to vital services for patients; and the pharmacies that remain open will not have sufficient resources to help all the patients displaced by closures.

The committee hopes that a fully funded Pharmacy First service will be included in the Government’s upcoming Primary Care Recovery Plan – we understand the approach is supported by Ministers.

PSNC Chief Executive Janet Morrison said: “These polling results will come as no surprise to anybody working in community pharmacy – the public value their local pharmacies and want to see them doing even more to support their health.

“Having the data to prove this is incredibly important and allows us to once again show Government and the NHS how important pharmacies are and how much people want to go on using them. They must listen to the voice of the public and step in not only to save pharmacies, but to allow them to build on their successes during the pandemic to offer a national Pharmacy First service.”

More For You

GPhC should consider reduced fees for pharmacists non-practising practising, says RPS

RPS responds to GPhC consultation on draft changes to fees

gettyimages

RPS urges GPhC to reduce registration fees for non-practising pharmacists

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has called on the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) to reduce annual registration fees for non-practising pharmacists — such as those on parental leave or with a long-term illness — in response to the regulator’s consultation on proposed changes to fees.

The GPhC is proposing a 6% increase in annual registration fees from September 2025 to cover the rising operational costs.

Keep ReadingShow less
Nick Kaye
Nick Kaye appointed as NPA's new chair
Nick Kaye appointed as NPA's new chair

Breaking news: NPA members advised against collective action

With the government’s recent announcement of increased funding to the sector signalling a ‘clear step forward’, the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has today announced that it will not be recommending collective action to its members.

Last month, the department of health announced the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF) with an increase in funding for 2024/25 of £106m to £2.7 billion and simultaneously a further increase to £3.1 billion for 25/26.

Keep ReadingShow less
Slamannan Village Pharmacy sold after 31 years

Slamannan Village Pharmacy

Slamannan Village Pharmacy sold after 31 years

A pharmacy in a small village in Scotland that has served its community for 31 years, has been bought by a group that operates 43 pharmacies across Scotland.

Slamannan Village Pharmacy is heavily relied on by locals sourcing their prescriptions from the village’s sole GP surgery.

Keep ReadingShow less
Kinnock highlights employers’ role in making community pharmacy jobs attractive

The new funding uplift our commitment to rebuilding the sector: Kinnock

Kinnock: ‘Employers have a key role in making community pharmacy jobs attractive’

Health minister Stephen Kinnock has emphasised that employers have a crucial role to play in retaining staff and making careers in community pharmacy more attractive.

His comments came in response to a written question from Victoria Collins MP, the Liberal Democrat spokesperson for science and technology, who asked what steps the Department of Health and Social Care is taking to address staff shortages and prevent the closure of local pharmacies.

Keep ReadingShow less
​Pope Francis

Pope Francis at the Vatican on December 4, 2024.

Photo by FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP via Getty Images

His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj offers condolences to Catholic community following Pope Francis' passing

His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, the spiritual leader and president of the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), has expressed heartfelt condolences to the Catholic community worldwide following the passing of Pope Francis on Monday.

In a formal letter addressed to the members of the Roman Catholic Church, Mahant Swami Maharaj conveyed the deep sorrow of the BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu fellowship, acknowledging the Pope's passing as “a profound loss to the Catholic community and Christians around the world.”

Keep ReadingShow less