Pharmacy: Community Health Services
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to prevent further reductions in opening hours and patient access for community pharmacies.
Answered by Stephen Kinnock
Last year, the Government increased funding for community pharmacy to almost £3.1 billion, representing the largest uplift for any part of the National Health Service across 2024/25 and 2025/26.
Pharmacies in areas of high health need and limited provision continue to receive additional support through the Pharmacy Access Scheme, helping to maintain reasonable access to NHS pharmaceutical services.
The Department is consulting Community Pharmacy England on proposals for contractor reimbursement and remuneration for 2026/27 and will announce the outcome once the consultation concludes.
The majority of community pharmacies are contractually required to open for a minimum of 40 core hours per week, with a small proportion required to open for 72 hours. If changes to pharmacy opening hours risk limiting patient access, integrated care boards can take action locally.
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