Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of pharmacy closures on neighbouring community pharmacies.

Integrated care boards are responsible for ensuring adequate provision of pharmaceutical services in their areas. When a pharmacy closes, patients can choose to use a neighbouring pharmacy or a pharmacy near to where they work or shop. There is no restriction on the pharmacy they can nominate to dispense their prescription or where they can seek health advice. Patients may also choose to nominate a distance selling pharmacy who will deliver medicines to their homes free of charge.

Pharmacies are paid per activity which ensures that those pharmacies get paid for the additional work they take on. Pharmacies must give a minimum of three months’ notice if they intend to close permanently. This enables nearby pharmacies to plan for any increase in their activity. Occasionally, pharmacies close unexpectedly for reasons that could not have been foreseen in advance. In areas where this causes difficulties for nearby pharmacies, integrated care boards will work with the affected pharmacies.