Family-owned pharmacies are increasingly shutting down in lower-income regions across the country, leading to the emergence of “pharmacy deserts.”
Recent analysis by the National Pharmacy Association has identified the most affected areas, with approximately 1,400 community pharmacies closing since 2016. Data from the NHS reveals that three-quarters of the top 50 areas with the highest number of closures have above-average poverty levels.
Nearly 90% of council areas have witnessed at least one permanent pharmacy closure in the past three years, with a significant number of closures occurring following funding cuts to pharmacists by the Conservative government in 2016.
Liverpool has been identified as the city most impacted by pharmacy closures, closely followed by York. Other areas like Blackpool, Wakefield, Coventry, and Kingston Upon Hull also rank among the top ten council areas for pharmacy closures since October 2022.
West Berkshire and Wokingham have been highlighted as the regions with the lowest number of pharmacies per capita, earning them the designation of “pharmacy deserts.” The majority of areas with inadequate community chemist services are rural locations.
The Mirror has launched a campaign to save family-owned pharmacies and prevent further closures, which are adding strain to already overburdened general practitioners. The National Pharmacy Association warns that the pharmacy network in 2025 is at its weakest point in two decades, with one in ten pharmacies shutting down over the past ten years.
Henry Gregg, the National Pharmacy Association’s chief executive, expressed concern over the worsening access to essential medications and patient care, particularly in disadvantaged communities hardest hit by recent pharmacy closures.
In a positive development, the Labour party has allocated £617 million over two years for the pharmacy sector, marking the first significant funding increase since 2014. This investment is tied to the expansion of the Pharmacy First scheme, enabling individuals with seven common conditions to seek treatment directly from pharmacists for ailments like sinusitis, sore throats, and earaches.
Despite progress, Mr. Gregg emphasized the need for continued government support beyond the initial funding boost. The Pharmacy First scheme has already provided consultations for five million patients in England, diverting them from GP appointments.
NHS England leaders are encouraging more patients to utilize the initiative, where pharmacists can address common ailments upfront. Sore throats have been the most frequently treated condition through this scheme, with 836,000 individuals benefiting from pharmacist consultations in the first year.
Approximately 2.4 million patients have accessed consultations with their pharmacists without prior appointments, indicating the scheme’s convenience and accessibility. Dr. Wendy Taylor of the Local Government Association highlighted the concerning trend of diminishing access to crucial healthcare services, particularly in underserved communities where pharmacies play a vital role as the primary NHS point of contact.
