Value was proved in the Covid response

PROTECT the NHS. Save lives. The two rallying cries in the national response to Covid-19 were taken up by every part of the community – but no more so than our 11,500 local pharmacies.

These unsung heroes have stayed open constantly, seeing patients and dispensing and delivering medicines.

They have taken pressure off the NHS and quietly got on with keeping Britain healthy. They put their lives at risk and incurred considerable costs.

They also deliver flu vaccinations and could play a significant role in any Covid vaccination scheme.

But now they are under threat. How has it come to this? Years of underfunding have contributed to a view that some in Whitehall would be

happy to see thousands close. The Health Secretary denies this.

But unless more funding materialises in the Spending Review, this is the future: a drastically slimmed-down network dominated by Boots and other big chains. Millions of vulnerable people losing access to a vital source of advice and medicines.

People in rural areas forced to travel long distances. And more pressure on the NHS as people turn to their GP and

A&E departments. Not funding pharmacies is a missed opportunity to save lives long term. Expanding their clinical services would deliver greater value and protect the NHS – but this needs adequate funding.

The Government has been vocal in its support for pharmacists. We have a Health Secretary who clearly cares and a Chancellor who grew up working in his mum’s pharmacy. Now we need them to follow words with action.