Funding and role of community pharmacies

That this House notes the vital role played by community pharmacies in delivering frontline healthcare and reducing pressure on general practice and hospitals; recognises that in areas such as West Dorset, 17 pharmacies dispense around 160,000 prescriptions each month and help save approximately 2,500 GP appointments; expresses concern that despite this growing workload, the funding model has not kept pace with expectations, with pharmacies facing 30% real-terms cuts since 2016 and higher operating costs in rural areas due to fewer economies of scale; further notes that pharmacies in towns such as Beaminster and Sherborne have reported six-figure losses; regrets that 700 community pharmacies have closed in the last two years, threatening access to care, particularly in rural communities; welcomes the Government’s commitment of £800 million in additional funding for community pharmacy services this year; but notes with concern that this still leaves a significant £2 billion gap in the sector; and calls on the Government to deliver a sustainable long-term funding settlement for community pharmacies, ensuring they can continue to provide accessible, trusted healthcare in every part of the country.