May 7th 2024

By Ailsa Colquhoun

25 rural pharmacies close over the past four years

Some 25 rural pharmacies have closed over the past four years, data presented in Parliament shows.

This supports findings from the Company Chemists’ Association (CCA) that more than eight pharmacies closed per week during 2023-24.

In a written answer to the Lord Bishop of St Albans, life peer Lord Markham stated that there was a net loss of five rural pharmacies during 2023, the biggest loss since 2020.

He also pointed out that alternative options include over 400 distance selling pharmacies and dispensing by doctors.

In its report, the CCA reported a record net loss of 432 pharmacies in England over the past financial year (2023/24). This follows real terms cuts in funding for community pharmacy in England of 30 per cent.

Over the past 10 years some 1,180 pharmacies have closed, according to its calculations.

Of the permanent closures that took place between 1 April 2015 and 24 February 2024, over one in three (34.9%) took place in the top 20 per cent of deprived communities³. The CCA is concerned that this trend of pharmacy closures may undermine the access to healthcare in deprived areas.

Closures in areas of deprivation further contribute to ’distance decay’ for accessible and preventative healthcare. The further patients must travel to remaining pharmacies will impact the likelihood that they will use these services. 

Malcolm Harrison, chief executive of the Company Chemists’ Association said:“Pharmacies cannot be expected to operate at a loss, and effectively subsidise the NHS, any longer.”   

• According to National Pharmacy Association research, 10 pharmacies closed every week, between January and April 2024, equivalent to 177 pharmacies. This compares to 116 in the same time period in 2023.