Pharmacies across the country are planning a day of action to highlight a chronic lack of funding and investment into the sector.

Since 2015 funding has been cut by 30 per cent and in the same period over 1300 have permanently closed.

It is claimed that without additional funding the pharmacy network will collapse, leaving patients with no access to support or advice from pharmacists. Grahams Pharmacy on Ford Green Road in Smallthorne are supporting the petition and encouraging patients to sign. 

Pharmacist Rajen Morjaria warned that some pharmacies are struggling to cope and the closure of high street pharmacies across the country affects the most vulnerable in society.

He said: "Since 2016 pharmacies haven't had an increase in the standard uplift in what we get reimbursed for the work that we do and yet the workload has just become crazy, it's become unbearable in some instances. A lot of pharmacists are saying that they just can't cope.

The petition already has over 90,000 signatures (38 Degrees).

"There's a bit of burnout what's happened is that during covid whilst some professions were able to close down and so on pharmacies were open throughout and it was a real struggle at that time but since then what's happened us there's been this huge amount of pressure with the doctors and they're not giving appointments to patients. So what the NHS has done is increased some of the things we do.

Since the end of January many community pharmacists have been able to prescribe prescription-only medicines, including antibiotics and antivirals where clinically appropriate. This means seven common conditions such as a sore throat, earache and shingles can now be treated by a pharmacist which has added to the workload.

He continued: "It's the most vulnerable that actually suffer, if you're fine and fit and healthy and on a good wage you'll get yourself sorted but patients that are a lot older or infirm and basically need somebody on their doorstep they can go to. If you take something for granted eventually it will start to get to the point where it's not sustainable anymore and this is I think what's going on because how much good will is left.

"It's one of things that you realise when it's gone because basically pharmacies are part of the fabric and can you imagine you know our little parades, they've all been eroded bit by bit."

In an attempt to raise awareness pharmacies are organising a day of action today (20 June). The day has been chosen as the current funding only covers three weeks a month. Pharmacies are being encouraged to turn out the lights 9am-11am to show the dark times for community pharmacies.

The petition can be signed here.

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