Four major pharmacy bodies have today urged all political parties to adopt their manifesto for community pharmacy ahead of the general election.

The manifesto, launched by Community Pharmacy England, National Pharmacy Association, Company Chemists’ Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society, contains a six-point plan aimed at securing better funding for the sector and fixing a range of other issues that have beset pharmacies over the years.

It asks for the funding gap to be closed and “a long-term sustainable funding solution” established. Secondly, it wants greater support for community pharmacy’s workforce. Thirdly, it calls for an “end-to-end review” of the medicines supply chain.

The manifesto’s fourth point is for an “enhanced” Pharmacy First service to be rolled out in England, “mirroring the highly successful approaches taken in Scotland and Wales.”

It also calls for community pharmacists to be empowered to expand their services “with an ambitious roadmap for independent prescribing” and pharmacies to become “centres for public health, prevention and reducing health inequalities.”

The four bodies outlined their manifesto in a letter aimed at the political parties that starkly insists “with investment, community pharmacy can do more, however the sector is in crisis.”

“Government funding for pharmacies has failed to keep pace with ever-growing NHS workload demands and spiralling costs,” the bodies warn, referencing the Health and Social Care Committee’s recent report calling for the community pharmacy contractual framework to be "completely overhauled" and numerous other issues to be resolved.

“As the Health and Social Care Committee report notes, the current Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework is not fit for purpose and requires a complete overhaul,” the bodies said.

“The pharmacy network is shrinking and closures are disproportionately affecting the most deprived communities.

“This strain is felt by patients and the public in receiving the care when and where they need it. Without action, patients will find it harder to access the healthcare, expert advice and vital medicines they need.”