Leading community pharmacy organisations have today written to the health secretary Wes Streeting urging him to increase investment in pharmacies to prevent them from closing so patients can continue accessing medicines.

In the letter, Community Pharmacy England (CPE), National Pharmacy Association, Company Chemists’ Association, Royal Pharmaceutical Society and Independent Pharmacies Association insist they are “ready and willing” to help the new government address a range of challenges facing the NHS.

The letter, seen by Independent Community Pharmacist, calls for “urgent, fair funding” for community pharmacy so patients across the country, particularly those living deprived areas who have been impacted significantly by closures, can receive health advice and treatment.

The bodies also called for the terms of the 2024-25 contractual framework, talks of which began between CPE and the Conservative government before the general election, to take into account current economic conditions and the demands being placed on pharmacies once those discussions resume.

The bodies said with more investment, Pharmacy First could be expanded to free up GPs and bolster the health service’s move towards prevention. However, they cautioned that “holistic” workforce planning and long-term investment was required to allow pharmacy teams to move care further into the community.

The letter also urged the government to carry out a review of the medicines supply chain and “margin arrangements” in the UK.

Streeting met the British Dental Association yesterday to discuss reforming the dental contract and will meet the British Medical Association today to try to end the long-running pay dispute with junior doctors.

However, CPE chief executive Janet Morrison said on Friday that she believes it will be weeks before Keir Starmer’s government is ready to start pharmacy contractual negotiations.

Image: Wes Streeting (www.parliament.uk)