Community Pharmacy Closures

Baroness Finlay of Llandaff Excerpts

Tuesday 28th January 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

That point is understood, which is why I thought it important to bring to your Lordships’ House the announcement in the media release from my ministerial colleague Stephen Kinnock. As I mentioned in answer to an earlier question, integrated care boards have a role to play. They should—in fact, they are required to—have regard to the pharmaceutical needs assessment conducted every three years by local authorities. That ought to identify where there are gaps and allow consideration of how to fill any such gaps.

[Baroness Finlay of Llandaff (CB)]

My Lords, given the estimate that community pharmacies save some 38 million consultations that would otherwise have been in general practice each year, and the fact that 97% of pharmacy staff report shortages in accessing different medicines as prescribed, how are the Government planning to allow community pharmacies to adjust medicines—as has been recommended by Community Pharmacy England—so that they can modify prescriptions, rather than spend time recontacting the GP when they are themselves familiar with the items?

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

The noble Baroness raises a good point and work is continuing to resolve that. It might also be helpful to say that NHS England has commissioned an economic analysis of the cost of providing pharmaceutical services and that will inform future funding arrangements. I say that in answer to the point the noble Baroness made about the potential savings that can accrue if we maximise the role of pharmacies.