Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made, if any, of the rate of closures of pharmacies; and what steps they are taking in response.

There has been a reduction in the number of pharmacies since 2017. There are about 1,200 fewer pharmacies than in 2017, and over 600 fewer than two years ago.

Despite a reduction in the number of pharmacies, on average, access remains good with four in five people living within a 20-minute walk from a pharmacy and twice as many pharmacies in the most deprived areas. Patients can also access 400 distance selling pharmacies that provide services nationally and must deliver any medicines they dispense free of charge.

The Pharmacy Access Scheme provides financial support to pharmacies in areas where there are fewer pharmacies.

The consultation with Community Pharmacy England on the national funding and contractual framework arrangements for 2024/25 was not concluded by the previous government and we are looking at this as a matter of urgency.