The National Pharmacy Association (NPA), representing 6,000 independent pharmacies, warns that rising costs could force its members to take collective action, including reduced operating hours, if the government does not provide additional funding soon.
According to the NPA, pharmacies in England face £250 million in unplanned costs from April due to increases in National Insurance, the National Living Wage, and business rates. Unlike other businesses, pharmacies cannot adjust pricing to offset expenses, as around 90% of their revenue comes from NHS-funded services.
A recent NPA ballot found that 99.7% of participating pharmacies support collective action if funding does not improve. The group says pharmacy closures have already reached record levels, and those remaining are under severe financial strain.
The Department of Health and Social Care stated that it is consulting with Community Pharmacy England on funding and will provide an update when it has the opportunity.
