A COLCHESTER pharmacy has warned the city is facing a “critical situation” which could see independent services forced to close.

Kate Ward, manager at The Hythe Pharmacy, at Hythe Quay, has warned drug shortages and reduced government funding for chemists is putting services at risk.

According to the ‘Save Our Pharmacies’ campaign, backed by the National Pharmacy Association (NPA), ten community pharmacies are closing per week and 1,400 have closed in the last decade.

Ms Ward said The Hythe Pharmacy had been forced to introduce private services to cover shortfalls.

The government pays chemists for each medicinal item dispensed, however the amount received often does not cover the cost of the drugs pharmacies purchase.

Ms Ward said The Hythe Pharmacy buys the antipsychotic drug Quetiapine 25mg for £9.95 per box but is only reimbursed £3.97, meaning a loss of £5.98 each time it is dispensed.

She said: “UK Chemists are currently paid by the Government for each medicinal item we dispense but unfortunately the amount we current receive from the Government very often does not cover the cost of the drug items we purchase “A further example is Sertraline 100mg which is £2.19 for us to buy however we are only reimbursed £1.10 per box by the Government, and we dispensed 131 boxes of this medication last month which again generated a loss of £142.79.

“The current situation will only result in city residents eventually having fewer choices of hard-working pharmacies to receive their much-needed medication.”

Ms Ward added: “We have needed to introduce an extensive range of private services through our adjacent Cotswolds Clinic to help maintain and support our business at least for the moment.

“But many of Colchester’s pharmacies rely heavily on the reimbursement of their prescription items.”

In May the Health and Social Care Committee a report, published as part of the committee’s inquiry into pharmacy services, warned the sector is “creaking under the strain of funding pressures, medicine shortages and skill mix challenges”.

It urged the Government to tackle drugs shortages or risk the failure of Pharmacy First, which was launched in January.

The policy allows patients to be treated for seven common conditions at their local pharmacy without the need for a GP appointment or prescription.