Funding and role of community pharmacies

Motion Text

That this House notes the vital role played by community pharmacies in delivering frontline healthcare and reducing pressure on general practice and hospitals; recognises that in areas such as West Dorset, 17 pharmacies dispense around 160,000 prescriptions each month and help save approximately 2,500 GP appointments; expresses concern that despite this growing workload, the funding model has not kept pace with expectations, with pharmacies facing 30% real-terms cuts since 2016 and higher operating costs in rural areas due to fewer economies of scale; further notes that pharmacies in towns such as Beaminster and Sherborne have reported six-figure losses; regrets that 700 community pharmacies have closed in the last two years, threatening access to care, particularly in rural communities; welcomes the Government’s commitment of £800 million in additional funding for community pharmacy services this year; but notes with concern that this still leaves a significant £2 billion gap in the sector; and calls on the Government to deliver a sustainable long-term funding settlement for community pharmacies, ensuring they can continue to provide accessible, trusted healthcare in every part of the country.