A recent agreement between the government and pharmacy negotiators in England has resulted in the postponement of planned protests by some pharmacies. Initially, a group representing numerous local pharmacies had intended to implement cuts to their opening hours starting Tuesday, but they have delayed these actions to assess the terms of the agreement. While some have deemed the funding package as a positive step, concerns linger as it may not fully cover the increased costs pharmacies are currently confronted with, such as the surge in National Insurance rates.
The government officials announced the new funding deal with the intention of reversing what they described as a decade of insufficient funding and indifference. Community pharmacies have been sounding the alarm on possible closures and cutbacks due to what they perceive as unsustainable pressures. These pressures include a growing workload, stagnant funding that fails to keep up with inflation, and the looming prospect of higher employer National Insurance contributions. Moreover, pharmacies are expected to assist more patients to alleviate the strain on General Practitioners.
Government funding for pharmacies in England was set at £2.6 billion in the 2019/20 fiscal year, failing to align with inflation over subsequent years. However, for the current financial year (2024/25), the funding stood at £2.7 billion. As part of the new agreement, the government has pledged to increase the funding for pharmacies in England to £3.1 billion in the following year (2025/26). Additionally, the deal will introduce more mental health support for patients, increased consultations, blood pressure checks, and a provision allowing women to obtain the morning-after pill for free from pharmacies.
Although the deal has been met with a cautious welcome from High Street chemist representatives, concerns persist about whether the additional funding will adequately cover the escalating costs. Leyla Hannbeck, the chief executive of the Independent Pharmacies Association, commended the government’s efforts as a step in the right direction but emphasized that the pressures faced by community pharmacies may still result in closures. The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) had initially planned protest actions from Tuesday due to financial concerns but has decided to postpone these actions while consulting members on the new agreement
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