Pharmacy Closures

Lord Scriven Excerpts

Wednesday 1st July 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

That comes into the category of underserved areas, particularly if there are fewer pharmacies. I disagree with my noble friend about the overall picture in terms of pharmacies; we are supporting them to do more work, and a bigger range of work strengthens their position. It is not necessary to live right near a pharmacy, because of provision by online pharmacies. Finally, I repeat that local authorities can also seek to open pharmacies where there are underserved areas.

[Lord Scriven (LD)]

My Lords, community pharmacy has lost thousands of full-time pharmacists in recent years, and many have been recruited directly to other parts of the NHS that can afford to pay more. What more can the Government do to support community pharmacists to minimise this internal displacement and help keep vital local pharmacies open?

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

This is an important point and why the refreshed 10-year workforce plan, which we will soon see, will deliver the transformation of the health service, which pharmacists are very much part of. We are also looking to support employers in offering a range of national training opportunities for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. We need to train and upskill the current workforce, and invest in community pharmacy staff. Pharmacists are very important, but there is a whole team with them. Training will include independent prescriber training, clinical examination skills and training the next generation of education supervisors.