Henry Gregg, Chief Executive of the National Pharmacy Association said:
"This Spring Statement will bring little comfort to hard pressed pharmacies facing sweeping cost increases in April.
"Pharmacies are essential to their communities but the government has taken decisions to prioritise business rates support for pubs over the health needs of millions of people who use pharmacies every day.
"Pharmacies are not like pubs, cafes or restaurants. They receive 90 per cent of their funding from the NHS and cannot simply increase their prices to absorb an eye watering business rates rise, along with other cost hikes.
"The government must urgently use some of their budget headroom to stabilise pharmacy finances or risk more pharmacies closing for good and leaving others with no choice but to cut back patient services."
