Commenting on the announcement that a government funding settlement for pharmacies for 2026/27 will not be in place for the start of the financial year, Henry Gregg, Chief Executive of the National Pharmacy Association, said:
"It is deeply disappointing that pharmacies will have no certainty going into an incredibly challenging new financial year, with eye watering new bills to pay.
"The government must stop treating hard working pharmacies as second class citizens. If financial arrangements can be put in place for GP colleagues with ample time before April, there is no excuse as to why the same courtesy can't be afforded to pharmacies
"Given this inexcusable delay, the government should provide pharmacies with an urgent stabilisation payment so they can meet increased business rates and living wage costs hitting them in just a matter of days.
"Without stabilisation, pharmacies will have no choice but to cut back services that patients depend on.
"This is not only a question of money, it is also about showing due respect to hardworking and long-suffering members of the NHS team, who should not be made to wait for progress on bridging their funding gap."
