Community Pharmacies

Lord Rogan Excerpts

Monday 20th March 2023 Lords Chamber

[Lord Evans of Rainow (Con)]

My Lords, 80% of the population live within 20 minutes’ walking distance of a pharmacy. There are twice as many pharmacies in more deprived areas. Despite a reduction in the network in recent years, there are still about the same number of pharmacies today as there were 10 years ago.

[Lord Rogan (UUP)]

My Lords, in answer to my Written Question last November the noble Lord, Lord Caine, conceded that

“This Government has had no discussions with Community Pharmacy NI about funding for pharmacies in Northern Ireland.”


In the subsequent four months, the crisis facing community pharmacies in the Province, which rural communities are so reliant on, has continued, with the future of some clearly at risk. I urge the Minister to ensure that community pharmacies in Northern Ireland are given active support from His Majesty’s Government so that they do not become the latest casualties of the political vacuum in the Province.

[Lord Evans of Rainow (Con)]

Unfortunately, I was not in the House in November last year, but I hear very strongly what the noble Lord is saying about healthcare and pharmacies in Northern Ireland and I will certainly feed that back to the department.