Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent steps he has taken to ensure that patients have adequate access to pharmacy services.

In December 2016, the Department introduced the Pharmacy Access Scheme (PhAS), as part of a wider package of reforms to the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework. The PhAS helps to support the financial viability of pharmacies in areas where there are fewer pharmacies.

The Department continues to monitor closely the market to identify and address issues that may impact patient access to pharmacy services. Access to National Health Service pharmaceutical services remains good: there are over 11,500 pharmacies in England, an increase of approximately 12% in the last decade.