York Liberal Democrats are opposing government plans to cut funding for local pharmacies.

The Government has announced plans to cut funding for pharmacies by more than £200m over the next two years starting with an in-year 12% cut this December. It is estimated the cuts could lead to up to 3,000 of the country’s 11,700 pharmacies being closed.

A recent poll of over 500 pharmacies declared that almost half will be forced to reduce their staff in order to avoid closing if faced with the major funding cuts. A quarter stated that they would have to cut the number of services they provide to their patients, and a fifth admitted they may have to face the prospect of closing their branch altogether due to financial pressure.

Cllr Carol Runciman, Liberal Democrat Executive Member for Health and Adult Social Care in York, said:

“Pharmacies across York and North Yorkshire offer a huge range of services including giving prescriptions and offering advice on common problems such as coughs, colds, aches and pains, as well as healthy eating and stopping smoking. Many pharmacies also offer services such as flu vaccinations.

“All these services help to take pressure off GPs and A&E departments. Local pharmacies are more than just places to get medicine, and this is why the government funding cuts and possible closures make so little sense. The cuts could have a devastating impact on community pharmacies locally and the patients that rely on the services they provide.

“Liberal Democrats will fight these cuts and related cuts to local government and the NHS. Residents can show their support for pharmacies by signing our petition at: www.yorklibdems.org.uk/pharmacies”