Ministers ‘clueless’ on cuts to pharmacy funding

MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT have accused the Government of being “clueless” about the impact of proposed pharmacy funding cuts, after ministers admitted they “do not know” how many might close as a result.

The Department of Health issued a statement on planned reduction to the Pharmacy Access Scheme yesterday, in response to pressure from MPs across all parties.

Health minister David Mowat sought to assure members that the changes will protect patient access, stating that he “[does] not believe” the £320m efficiency savings will cause widespread closures.

He went on to accuse Labour MPs of “scaremongering” when they suggested the cuts will put patient safety and welfare at risk. But when he was asked how many pharmacies are expected to close as a result of reforms, the minister replied that he does “not know”.

“The answer to that question is, I do not know. It is possible that none will close [but] I do not believe that 3,000 will close,” he said.

“There is no such thing as an average pharmacy, which is why I cannot guarantee that there will be no changes. What we are doing is building an industry that is fit for the future, that is modern and that is adding value in a way it has not been able to do in the past.”

Responding to the statement, Barnsley East MP Michael Dugher said the Government’s plans were “reckless”. He said any closures would be a “grave loss to our communities” and a “hammer blow” to the NHS. “Clueless ministers have refused to listen to repeated warnings,” he said.

“Given that only one in ten pharmacies will be helped by the Pharmacy Access Scheme, that means nine in ten pharmacies are potentially vulnerable to these cuts.

“The DoH’s own impact assessment admits there is no reliable way of estimating the number of pharmacies that may close. [This] can only pile more pressure.”