LONDON 

The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) on Tuesday recommended collective action for the first time in its history, advising independent pharmacies in England to reduce their opening hours amid a row over funding.

The NPA stated it had "been left with little choice" but to recommend its 6,000 members take collective action, unless the government provides “new and sufficient” funding to cover significant new costs.

Currently, about 90% of an average pharmacy’s work is funded via the NHS, including dispensing medication and providing vaccinations.

However, the NPA, which represents these community pharmacies, highlighted that its members have yet to receive any confirmation of funding for the 2024-25 or 2025-26 financial years.

It warned that increases in employers’ national insurance rates, the national living wage, and business rates from April, combined with the ongoing uncertainty regarding funding, could "jeopardize patient safety."

"Pharmacies have seen around a 40% cut to this funding in real terms since 2017, forcing record numbers to close. 29 have shut since the beginning of the year, with around 1,300 pharmacies shutting since 2017," NPA said.

Individual pharmacies would need to give five weeks’ notice to the NHS before reducing any services.

The proposed action could result in fewer independent pharmacies being open in the evenings and at weekends, halting free home deliveries, or withdrawing services such as emergency contraception, smoking cessation, and addiction support.