AN MP has written to the health secretary asking him to address the pressure pharmacies are under due to fears for patient safety.

Flick Drummond MP for Meon Valley wrote to Steve Barclay this week about the impact of a 30 per cent real-term fall in funding over the last eight years for pharmacies which is causing them to cut back services and reduce opening hours.

The MP regularly visits pharmacies across Meon Valley who have also told her they are concerned about regulations.

In the letter, she said: “I am concerned that if these pressures are left unaddressed, we could see many unplanned and permanent pharmacy closures in the near future.

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“Those pharmacies which remain will not have sufficient resources to take on patients displaced by closures and place further pressure on the primary care network.

“It is also a concern that pharmacies are hampered by regulations which prevent them from planning their opening hours or being able to operate in the absence of a pharmacist. This is an issue which causes a lot of frustration in cases where patients are unable to collect prepared and packaged prescriptions because a pharmacist is temporarily out of the premises – including when they have simply gone for a break in their working day.

“I would also ask you to look at what can be done to maintain the pharmacy sector…These pressures could lead to risks to patient care and safety, if left unchecked.”

Mrs Drummond added she supported the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee’s (PSNC) three measures to help. Short-term funding to stabilise the sector, a commitment to work with the sector to develop a future and a fairly-funded Pharmacy First service.