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David Mowat, the pharmacy minister, said taxpayers should not be propping up chemists that were clustered close to each other
Critics say cut will force elderly and sick to travel further for medication
The Department of Health says 40 per cent of pharmacies are in clusters
Average pharmacy receives a subsidy of £220,000 a year from the NHS
One in four high street pharmacies could close after ministers revealed a cut in their subsidies over the next two years.
David Mowat, the pharmacy minister, said taxpayers should not be propping up chemists that were clustered close to each other.
But campaigners have warned that the funding cut – which is projected to save the taxpayer £200million on the £2.8billion cost of pharmacies in the next two years – will force the elderly and sick to travel further for their medication.
One in four high street pharmacies could close after ministers revealed a cut in their subsidies over the next two years (file photo)
One in four high street pharmacies could close after ministers revealed a cut in their subsidies over the next two years (file photo)
Critics also claim that the move will put pressure on A&E departments, GP and hospital services.
The Department of Health says 40 per cent of pharmacies are in clusters, where three or more are located within 10 minutes’ walk of each other.
The average pharmacy receives a subsidy of £220,000 a year from the NHS – making up nearly 90 per cent of its income.
But ministers are to withdraw a sum called the establishment payment that amounts to around £25,000 for those that prescribe high volumes of prescriptions.
As part of the changes, ministers will also introduce performance-related pay.
Previously, ministers estimated they expect 3,000 out of 12,000 pharmacies to close although a newly published impact assessment from the Department of Health gives no figure.
Mr Mowat defended the changes, telling the Commons that ‘every penny saved will be reinvested in our NHS to ensure the very best patient care’.
He later told the Daily Mail it was hard to justify taxpayers subsidising clusters of pharmacies.
Read more : Daily Mail.
Posted by jeffrey davies on 21 October 2016
