Chemist cuts opening hours despite new funding

A pharmacy owner who has cut staff and is now cutting branch opening hours said it was the only way to keep his business afloat, despite an increase in government funding.

Nick Cooper, who owns two Croasdales pharmacies in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, said he would be reducing hours by up to 20% at his Moreton Hall branch.

It comes despite a new government deal for pharmacies in England, which would see funding rise from £2.7bn in 2024-25 to £3.1bn for 2025-26.

Mr Cooper, who stands to gain £50,000 from the deal, said rises in National Insurance, minimum wage and rent cancelled out the new funds. The government said October's Budget signalled the "first step towards rebuilding community pharmacy".

Speaking about the government's announcement, Mr Cooper, a pharmacist of 40 years, said: "In the very same deal, they have taken £50,000 in another way. They give with one hand, they take away with the other.

"I see that whole remuneration as cost neutral."

He said another reason for the shortfall in his profits was due to the fixed drug tariff paid to pharmacies by the NHS, which he said had not kept pace with price increases from drug manufacturers.

"We either don't supply [the drugs], which legally we have to supply, or we delve into our own pockets to make up the shortfall," said Mr Cooper.

"We're helping to keep the NHS going. It's an outrageous situation."

Tony Dean, joint chief officer of Community Pharmacy Norfolk and Suffolk - the body that represents pharmacies in the two counties - said community pharmacy "was in crisis" ever since funding was frozen seven years ago.

While acknowledging the Labour government was trying to tackle the problem, he said the new deal still left a £2bn shortfall in community pharmacy.

"It's a step in the right direction. It's a small down-payment of what's needed, but certainly it isn't the answer to community pharmacy - far, far, from it."

Pharmacies are only paid for GP or 111 referrals, or one of seven NHS defined categories including seeing patients for earache and shingles.

The new deal would also mean pharmacists offering more mental health support for patients, and increased consultations and blood pressure checks.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "The necessary decisions we took at the Budget allowed us to invest an extra £26bn in health and social care.

"This signals the government's first step towards rebuilding community pharmacy for the long term."

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