Community pharmacies in Wales are facing a financial crisis as they struggle to cover the costs of many NHS drugs, a report by Wales Online reveals. According to pharmacy leaders, a significant discrepancy between the prices of certain medicines and the reimbursement rates set by the Government is leaving pharmacists at a loss. The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) highlighted that pharmacies are often forced to pay out of their own pockets to ensure patients receive essential medications, with some pharmacists reportedly losing up to £1,000 per month due to this disparity.
Olivier Picard, a pharmacist in Berkshire, expressed the detrimental impact of these financial challenges, stating that the prices pharmacists are reimbursed do not align with the actual costs of acquiring medicines. The NPA conducted a survey that found pharmacies are being underpaid by as much as £75 per pack of certain medications, leading to a growing financial burden on pharmacy owners. The NPA warned that this pressing issue has already resulted in a record number of pharmacy closures across England.
The survey revealed specific examples of the financial strain faced by pharmacies, such as the cost of purchasing medications far exceeding the reimbursement rates set by the NHS Drug Tariff. For instance, pharmacies may pay £94.05 for a pack of Amantadine, a drug for Parkinson’s, while only receiving £18.06 in reimbursement, resulting in a loss of £75.99 per pack. Similar disparities were found for other commonly prescribed medications like Escitalopram and Lorazepam.
The NPA emphasised that pharmacies are obligated to continue providing medications despite the financial challenges, as failing to do so would breach their contracts with the health service. The unsustainable financial pressure has led to fears of more pharmacy closures in the near future, exacerbating concerns about access to essential healthcare services for patients.
In response to these alarming findings, pharmacy representatives, including NPA chief executive Paul Rees, called on the Government to intervene and address the broken funding system that is threatening the viability of community pharmacies. The NPA urged for immediate action to prevent further closures and ensure a sustainable future for pharmacy services. Healthwatch England’s chief executive, Louise Ansari, echoed these concerns, highlighting the critical role pharmacies play in providing care to patients and underscoring the need for a comprehensive evaluation of pharmacy funding.
The Department of Health and Social Care acknowledged the challenges faced by pharmacies but reiterated its commitment to supporting pharmacists and expanding their role within the healthcare system. As the pressure on community pharmacies continues to mount, urgent measures are needed to address the financial crisis and safeguard the vital services they provide to communities.