Bid to block pharmacy budget cuts are backed by 1.8 million people

A DECISION is expected in the next few weeks over controversial budget cuts to pharmacies which have been opposed by 1.8 million people.

Rother Valley MP Sir Kevin Barron delivered the biggest ever health care petition in history to 10 Downing Street in May, and a final decision on the move is due to be made early this month.

MPs fear government proposals could lead to the closure of hundreds of community pharmacies in Yorkshire.

The National Pharmacy Association ran the petition — which gathered 1.8 million signatures — after the Government announced in December 2015 that by 2016/17 there will be a cut to the pharmacy budget of £170 million.

The cut, from £2.8 billion to £2.63 billion, is a reduction of more than six per cent in cash terms.

Sir Kevin was joined by Michael Dugher Labour MP for Barnsley East and other cross party MPs for the handover.

“These cuts would be a terrible step for many local communities, they provide so much more than just being a dispensary,” he said.

“These 1.8 million people show that the public care about their local pharmacies, the government need to listen to these people and rethink their plans.

“This plan is driven by treasury cuts, in the long term it just won’t save money. “It just piles on cost further down the system in the NHS. We already have a GP and A&E crisis.”

Health minister Alistair Burt said the Government would not stop “talking and listening” on the issue.