Millions of Britons are living in areas rapidly becoming "pharmacy deserts," where accessing vital medications and healthcare advice has become increasingly difficult, according to alarming new research.
A comprehensive analysis has identified the UK postcodes hardest hit by pharmacy closures, with some communities witnessing the disappearance of nearly half their local chemists in just eight years.
The Crisis in Numbers
The data reveals a troubling national trend: between 2015 and 2023, England lost a staggering 1,055 community pharmacies. London has been disproportionately affected, with some boroughs experiencing closure rates that threaten to create healthcare blackspots for vulnerable residents.
Worst-Hit Areas Revealed
Westminster emerges as the most severely impacted location, having lost 49% of its pharmacies since 2015. Other London boroughs facing critical shortages include Kensington and Chelsea (40% closures), and Camden (35% closures).
Beyond the capital, the problem extends to urban centres across England, with Birmingham losing 65 pharmacies and Liverpool seeing 42 closures during the same period.
Why This Matters for Patients
These closures create significant barriers for:
- Elderly patients who rely on local chemists for regular prescriptions
- People with mobility issues who cannot travel long distances
- Low-income families facing transport costs to access medicines
- Those seeking emergency healthcare advice and over-the-counter treatments
Community pharmacies don't just dispense medicines—they serve as crucial first points of contact for healthcare advice, particularly for minor ailments that might otherwise burden GP surgeries and A&E departments.
The Root Causes
Industry experts point to several factors driving this crisis:
- Government funding cuts to community pharmacy services
- Increasing operational costs and staffing challenges
- Growing pressure on NHS services overall
- Changes in how people access healthcare post-pandemic
The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee has warned that without adequate funding and support, more pharmacies will inevitably close, exacerbating existing healthcare inequalities.
What Needs to Change
Healthcare advocates are calling for urgent government action to address this growing crisis, including reviewing pharmacy funding models and recognising the essential role local chemists play in community healthcare infrastructure.
As one industry representative starkly put it: "When a pharmacy closes, it's not just a business failing—it's a vital healthcare service disappearing from people's lives."
