Elderly individuals and residents of rural regions are particularly impacted by the widespread closures, according to Healthwatch England, a committee of the Care Quality Commission.
The warning was released in response to claims made by pharmacy executives that “pharmacy deserts” across the nation could increase pressure on general practitioners and force patients to drive farther in order to receive care.
Healthwatch, an organization that collects and advocates the opinions of people utilizing health and social care services, released new statistics indicating that 436 pharmacies in England will permanently close between January 1 and December 31, 2023.
This translates to eight pharmacies closing their doors forever each week.
Healthwatch has also issued a warning against pharmacies’ temporary closures, which can extend for several days or even hours.
It issued a warning that drugstore closures, whether temporary or permanent, are “undermining people’s access to care”.
A recent Healthwatch research found that people’s trust in the growth of pharmacy services was also being undermined by these closures.
This might include the popular Pharmacy First program from the previous administration, which promotes seeing a nearby pharmacy for treatment of a number of common illnesses.
Patients have complained about closures to Healthwatch, with specific concerns expressed over access to necessary medications.
