Pharmacies Shuttering Nationwide Amid Funding Crisis

As of August 2025, pharmacies across the United Kingdom are shuttering at an alarming rate, with experts warning that the sector is in a dire state due to a decade of underfunding. According to Ashley Cohen, a pharmacist and board member of the National Pharmacy Association, the country has been losing pharmacies at a rate of 10 per month.

The situation has become increasingly precarious, with Cohen stating that community pharmacies have been "clinging on by their fingernails" over the past few months. The report highlights the "difficult situation" the sector is facing, with funding cuts and zero increases in inflation for healthcare professionals over the last 10 years.

Despite the challenges, the Department of Health and Social Care has recently increased funding to community pharmacies, representing the largest uplift in funding of any part of the National Health Service for 2025/2026. This move aims to provide patients with more services closer to home and free up GP appointments.

However, experts warn that the investment may be too little, too late. Cohen emphasizes the urgent need to invest in pharmacies now, stating that "we need to invest in the pharmacies now, or pay the price later." The future of community pharmacies hangs in the balance, and the decisions made in the coming months will have a significant impact on the accessibility and quality of healthcare for patients across the country.