Pharmacies closed at a rate of eight a week across England last year, according to new figures, with the nation’s patient champion warning that the sector faces a “widespread challenge”. New data obtained by Healthwatch England found that 436 pharmacies shut their doors permanently in England between 1 January and 31 December 2023, while another 13,863 temporary closures were recorded. Healthwatch said that the issue is having a “huge impact” on older people – particularly those in rural communities which are already isolated.
Industry leaders warned that “pharmacy deserts” around the country could pile more pressure on GPs and leave patients having to travel further to access care. Louise Ansari, chief executive at Healthwatch England, said: “Our research has shown that temporary pharmacy closures present a widespread challenge in England. “This issue is having huge impacts on older people and is particularly acute in rural regions where people already have to travel further to visit their pharmacist.
“Staff shortages, the key driver of permanent and temporary closures, call into doubt the potential of Pharmacy First, meaning people can’t get the advice, care and medications they need and when they need them.” ‘I had to queue for 20 minutes to be let in’ Debbie Riddell, from Paignton in Devon, said she has faced difficulty when trying to collect prescriptions for thyroid and blood pressure issues. The 70-year-old said: “Many of the pharmacies .
