Reduced spending on pharmacies nationally, along with increased pressure for them to deliver services, has left a lot of community pharmacies struggling to remain open.  

Cllr Ramsey Ross, Leader of the Labour Group at Rutland County Council, wants to raise awareness for the campaign 'Save Our Pharmacies' to show the new government that the public wants a new funding formula to be introduced to better support pharmacies.  

Since 2015, pharmacy funding has been cut by 30% with over 1,300 pharmacies closing in the last nine years. 

'Save Our Pharmacies' is a campaign led by the National Pharmaceutials Society to get better Governmnet support for community pharmacies. (Photo: Save Our Pharmacies)

1.6 million people a day visit a community pharmacy for medicine and healthcare advice, with new government advice asking the public to visit pharmacies rather than their GP for some ailments to reduce pressure on the NHS.  

The principle of 'Pharmacy First' was introduced by the then Government in January 2024, asking the public to go to pharmacies with minor ailments and conditons to reduce pressure on primary care. 

A recent review by Lord Darzi found that: "The accessibility of community pharmacy is referred to as 'one of the great strengths' of our health service. 

"However, reduced spending has led to increasing closures and too few resources in the places where it is needed most." 

Cllr Ross says: "I would urge you to sign the NPA (National Pharmaceuticals Association) petition and write to our MP, Alicia Kearns, asking her to support this call to Government for improved funding for our pharmacies."

NPA petitions can be found in local pharmacies or here.