The analysis suggests that one in eight people in England – approximately seven million individuals – have experienced the permanent closure of their local pharmacy. This trend has raised concerns among sector leaders about patients potentially missing out on essential medicines and care, particularly in rural areas.
Since 2017, around 1,250 pharmacies have closed, according to data provided by the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) to NHS England. Each pharmacy serves an average of 5,600 people, indicating that up to seven million patients may have lost access to their nearest store. The majority of these closures have occurred in the past three years, with the NPA warning that the situation will continue to worsen without action to reverse budget cuts.
The impact of these closures extends beyond mere numbers. An estimated seven million pharmacy hours have been lost due to closures and reduced opening hours over the past two years. In 2024, pharmacies in England were open for 511,000 hours per week, compared to 620,000 hours at the same time in 2022. Certain regions have been particularly affected, with Kent losing 109,000 pharmacy hours, Wiltshire 41,000 hours, Cambridgeshire 46,000 hours, and Devon 49,000 hours over the last two years.
The government recently initiated consultations with Community Pharmacy England regarding agreements for 2024/25 and 2025/26. The Care Minister acknowledged the sector’s struggles due to years of underfunding and neglect, expressing commitment to working closely with Community Pharmacy England to agree on a funding package that reflects the vital support pharmacies provide to patients nationwide.
However, there are concerns that without urgent and sustained increases in pharmacy funding, the situation will continue to deteriorate. This could lead to patients facing increasing difficulties in accessing necessary care, and pharmacies may be forced to limit their services to remain operational. The closures and reduced hours have already resulted in patients having to travel further for care, while remaining pharmacies struggle to meet increased demand.
The ongoing pharmacy closures and reduced hours represent a significant challenge to healthcare accessibility in England, particularly affecting vulnerable and isolated patients in rural areas. As negotiations continue, the future of community pharmacies and their ability to provide essential services to millions of patients hangs in the balance.
