Pharmacists are to be balloted over potential ‘work-to-rule’ action amid a row over funding.
Action could see pharmacies opening for shorter hours or potentially providing fewer services.
It comes as industry leaders said the ability to provide safe care was being put at risk by a decline in funding.
The National Pharmacy Association (NPA), which represents community pharmacies, has called for a £1.3 billion funding increase in England.
It has launched a ballot of members asking if they will reduce their service unless there is more money made available for pharmacies.
The NPA is not a trade union, so any outcome of the ballot would be advisory.
But the association said that action could start before Christmas if the majority of those balloted vote in favour.
Pharmacists are to be balloted over potential ‘work-to-rule’ action amid a row over funding (stock)
Action could potentially include pharmacies opening only for the minimum number of hours, withdrawal the provision of free deliveries for medication and potentially serving notice on some services – such as some emergency contraception services or stop smoking support.
Paul Rees, chief executive of the NPA, said: ‘It pains us to take this step but pharmacies are being pushed to the brink by a decade of real terms cuts that has slashed 40% from their funding.
‘Pharmacies are routinely required to dispense NHS medicines at a loss, 1,500 have been forced to close in the past decade, while others have had to cut hours to try and make ends meet.
‘That is not acceptable and is hitting patients hard.
Action could potentially include pharmacies opening only for the minimum number of hours, withdrawal the provision of free deliveries for medication and potentially serving notice on some services (stock)
‘We desperately want to work with Wes Streeting and the new Government to unleash the vast potential of pharmacies to deliver the better health in the community that we all want.
‘But despite big settlements for junior doctors and train drivers since the election there is no sign – as yet – of an end to the chronic real-terms cuts that is literally driving dedicated healthcare professionals in pharmacies out of business.’
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: ‘This Government inherited a broken NHS where pharmacies have been neglected for years.
‘Pharmacies are key to making healthcare fit for the future as we shift the focus of the NHS out of hospitals and into the community.
‘We will make better use of pharmacists’ skills, including accelerating the rollout of independent prescribing to improve access to care.’
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