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Pharmacy: Rural Areas

Asked by Edward MorelloLiberal DemocratDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled Answered 22 June 2026UIN 9958

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what support his Department is providing to pharmacies serving rural communities in West Dorset.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock

The Government has increased funding for the community pharmacy sector by £340 million in 2026/27, which supports all pharmacies in England, including those serving patients in West Dorset. This builds on the 19% uplift to the community pharmacy budget across 2024 to 2025 and 2025 to 2026.

In addition, the Pharmacy Access Scheme (PhAS) provides targeted support to more isolated pharmacies to help ensure continued access to services. Based on the latest data, one pharmacy in West Dorset qualifies for additional funding through this scheme. The Department has recently committed to review PhAS in 2026/27.

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