Community pharmacies received strong backing yesterday in Parliament, with several MPs speaking out in support of the sector, recognising their vital role in community healthcare and raising concerns about an increasing trend of pharmacy closures.
Discussions during the Parliamentary debate, which focussed on ‘Healthcare in Rural Areas’, emphasised that pharmacies are essential for providing accessible healthcare and do much to help keep people healthy, reducing pressure on other parts of the NHS. However, it was also recognised that sustained pressures on pharmacies themselves means these vital assets are at risk.
Describing community pharmacies as “lifelines”, Amanda Hack (Labour MP for North West Leicestershire) praised the medication reviews and preventative advice that they provide. Katie Lam (Conservative MP for Weald of Kent) noted that the Pharmacy First service was a “superb initiative” and called out concerning comments that had questioned the skills of pharmacists.
Health Select Committee Member Gregory Stafford (Conservative MP for Farnham and Bordon) felt that maintaining access to primary care was critical, raising his concerns about the growing number of pharmacy closures. Amanda Hack had similar views about access, sharing her concerns that shortages or reductions in pharmacy opening hours can have “detrimental impacts” on patient health.
Read the transcript of the debate
Zoe Long, Director of Communications, Corporate and Public Affairs at Community Pharmacy England, said:
“Yesterday’s Parliamentary debate rightly recognised that pharmacies provide vital access to healthcare in their communities, but also served to highlight how long-term underfunding is putting critical services at risk. It is good to see this kind of cross-party support for the sector continuing.”
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