Pharmacists say they are key part of communities

Devon and Cornwall pharmacists facing rising costs say they will be sorely missed if they are forced to close.

It comes as a group representing about half of the UK's independent pharmacies voted in favour of industrial action for the first time.

The National Pharmacy Association is calling for a funding increase of about £1.7bn a year.

The Department of Health said it wanted all pharmacists to work with it to achieve a service fit for the future.

George Wickham at Luxton's pharmacy in Exeter said funding had been "cut dramatically" in the last five years.

"It has got to the point where we are almost unable to break even," he said.

Mr Wickham said 28 pharmacies closed in the last year in Devon, putting pressure on the remaining pharmacies.

"We are a key part of the community and we have been here for 50 years or more," he said.

"We are well respected and we know we do an excellent job, but it's increasingly hard to do that in the current environment."

Income from the NHS had fallen over the last five years, Mr Wickham said.

"Our bills have gone up our costs have gone up in the last five years and we have had no increase in funding whatsoever."

He said pharmacies were also relied on by patients as it was "virtually impossible" to see a GP.

"We can fill in and provide services that would otherwise be given by GP surgeries," he said.

An NHS spokesperson said: "The NHS knows just how important pharmacies are for local communities.

"We are working with government and pharmacies to find a way forward so patients continue to receive high-quality care."

Faisel Baig, who runs a pharmacy in St Mawes, Cornwall, said there was a huge disparity between the amount he paid for medicines and the amount he received from the NHS to dispense them.

One drug for strokes cost £15 for one packet but he was getting £3 a packet, he said.

There were also problems with drugs supplies cause by the war in Ukraine and Brexit, he said.

"We are privileged to work here, it's a great view," he said.

"It's very satisfying to help people with their health conditions, we have dealt with a heart attack and wounded people, one with a broken hip."

But he said he was having to cut the pharmacy's opening hours because of rising wages and energy costs.

"Most people are grateful that a service is here, it's 25 miles to the next pharmacy by road," he said.

Additional reporting by Jonathan Morris.

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