MP Pharmacy Visit – Kenilworth

Community Pharmacy Arden has been continuing to engage with local MPs to raise awareness of the financial pressures facing community pharmacies and the challenges of delivering and expanding the range of services.

As part of this work, Sir Jeremy Wright MP met with our Chief Officer, Conor Price, and recently visited a community pharmacy in his constituency in Kenilworth. The visit provided an opportunity for an open and positive discussion about the current pharmacy contract, including how pharmacies are funded and the increasing gap between the cost of providing NHS services and the funding received.

Discussions highlighted the pressures created by the current medicines reimbursement system, rising operating and employment costs, medicines shortages and the increasing number of prescriptions being dispensed at a loss. The importance of ensuring pharmacies are appropriately funded to deliver the services expected of them was also raised.

There was positive discussion around the opportunities for community pharmacy to take on a greater role in supporting patients and delivering care closer to home. However, for pharmacies to make the most of these opportunities, they need sustainable funding and the capacity to employ the staff needed to deliver them.

We will continue to work with local MPs and other stakeholders to ensure the challenges facing community pharmacies are understood and that the sector has a sustainable future.