Demoralised pharmacists face uncertain future

“I became a pharmacist because I wanted to help people, but it just feels like it’s getting harder and harder to do that properly," says Jenny White

Community pharmacies in Wales have said they are currently facing their "worst ever pressures".

On average, 18 community pharmacies closed every week in the UK between January and June 2024, according to research by accountancy firm PwC.

Jenny White, who has run the community pharmacy in Rhosneigr, Anglesey, alongside her husband since 2019, called the situation "demoralising".

The Welsh government said pharmacies played a vital role in delivering NHS primary care services, with funding up by more than £25m since reform began eight years ago.

Community pharmacists dispense prescriptions, sell over-the-counter medicines, and can give advice on treating minor ailments and certain conditions. They are contracted by the NHS in Wales.

"I became a pharmacist because I wanted to help people, but it just feels like it’s getting harder and harder to do that properly," said Ms White.

Some pharmacists say it has never been so difficult to get certain drugs, and the cost has shot ahead of the amount the NHS pays them

As part of Ms White's contract, she is required to see patients about their conditions and prescribe certain medicines.

"I like that the Welsh government has asked us to provide extra services. I like getting to do the things I’ve trained to do and provide care to the community," she said.

She said she would like to develop the services she offered, but that it was "not possible" with the funding she received.

"We haven’t had any extra money this year, but costs have gone up. I regularly now end up working overtime with my husband just to ensure our basic services are available," she added.

'Simply unsustainable'

Mark Griffiths, chairman of Community Pharmacy Wales, which represents 700 independent pharmacies across the country, said the future of some businesses was uncertain due to rising costs and an increased pressure to deliver more services.

He said he believes that the current climate is is the "worst it’s ever been for pharmacies".

"We’ve had wages rising rapidly, rising costs across the board and pressure to increase the services we provide, but unfortunately we haven’t had the funding to match that," he said.

He said many pharmacies have reported having to cut staff or cut their opening hours.

"This is simply an unsustainable situation. We’re doing the best we can, but I do believe we could do better if funded to the proper level," he added.

David Thomas, a pharmacist in Newport for more than 20 years, said getting the medicine needed at an affordable price had become "very challenging".

"Something needs to change and ultimately that’s up to the Welsh government,” says David Thomas, a Newport pharmacist

"I’ve never known it be so difficult to procure certain drugs," he said.

"On top of that, the cost of buying them has increased hugely but the amount the NHS is willing to pay us for it hasn’t kept up with that.

"You can make a loss on certain drugs.

“It's just an unsustainable situation. Something needs to change and ultimately that’s up to the Welsh government."

The Welsh government said pharmacies played a vital role in delivering NHS primary care services.

It said it had increased funding for the community pharmacy contractual framework by more than £25m since reforms began in 2016/17 to support community pharmacies to deliver clinical services and enable communities to have access to the NHS care they needed.