“We’re relieved to hear that talks have finally begun for the long overdue pharmacy settlement but unless urgent and sustained increases in pharmacy funding are delivered imminently, this situation will only worsen and patients will face more and more difficulties getting the care they need and pharmacies will have no choice but to cut their services further to make ends meet.”.
Nearly 9 in 10 (87 percent) of London boroughs have seen at least one pharmacy close permanently in the last two years due to unprecedented funding cuts, according to data from the National Pharmacy Association.
Nick Kaye, Chair of the National Pharmacy Association said: “These are shocking figures which show that millions of patients have lost access to pharmacies who provide vital medication and care on their doorsteps.
Kingston upon Thames has seen the highest number of net pharmacy closures in the capital per their population, followed by Richmond, Harrow, Westminster and Croydon.
Mr Jetha has been running his pharmacy for 45 years and noted “the more closures there are, the more pressure it puts on existing pharmacies to meet the demand”.
