A major pharmacy chain in Northern Ireland has warned it may be forced to close stores or make redundancies due to rising business costs. Bradley’s Pharmacy, which operates over 20 locations, says the upcoming increases in National Insurance contributions and the National Living Wage will add a six-figure sum to its annual expenses.
Owner Liam Bradley has urged the government to provide direct financial support to prevent closures, stating, “We can’t raise our prices, and we can’t charge the government any more for the medicines that we stock.”
National Pharmacy Association Warns of Sector-Wide Crisis
The National Pharmacy Association (NPA), which represents thousands of UK pharmacy owners, has warned of a sector-wide financial crisis. It says pharmacies could be forced to cut opening hours or reduce services if the government does not step in.
The Department of Health acknowledged the financial pressure but stated it faces a significant funding gap for the next fiscal year.
Bradley said he has already considered closing pharmacies on Saturdays to cut costs but has been denied permission by the Department of Health. He plans to appeal the decision in hopes of securing operational flexibility.
Pharmacies Facing £10 Million in Additional Costs
According to the NPA, pharmacies across Northern Ireland, England, and Wales are facing at least £10 million in additional costs due to wage hikes, rising energy bills, and increasing business rates.
The organization warns that many pharmacies are on the brink of collapse, with some already shutting down due to financial instability.
Gerard Greene, chief executive of Community Pharmacy NI, emphasized the growing importance of pharmacies in community healthcare since the Covid-19 pandemic, stating:
“We’re delivering more vaccines, more customers are coming to us for advice, and yet our funding has never been right. On top of that, our costs are rising, and we can’t keep absorbing these expenses.”
Health Minister Calls for Government Action
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has acknowledged the crisis but said he does not expect additional government funding to cover pharmacy costs.
He confirmed that he has written to both the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and the Finance Minister, urging them to work with HM Treasury to ensure pharmacies receive fair financial support.
Pharmacies May Cut Opening Hours in Protest
In November 2023, thousands of pharmacy owners across the UK voted in favor of cutting opening hours and stopping home deliveries for the first time in history, as a protest over lack of funding.
More than 3,300 independent community pharmacies in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland participated in the ballot, representing a 64% turnout.
Nick Kaye, chair of the NPA, warned that pharmacies are already closing at record rates, stating:
“The pharmacies that remain open are barely hanging on. There is no certainty that these costs will be met, despite assurances for other parts of the health system, including our GP colleagues.”
With government inaction, pharmacies across Northern Ireland could soon face a financial cliff edge, affecting thousands of patients relying on their services.
