Budget cuts could hit local chemists

Budget cuts could hit local chemists

21 March 2012

COMMUNITY pharmacists have warned that cuts in their budget will impact on vulnerable people across Down District.

Concern is also growing that local pharmacies could be forced to close, reduce opening hours and staffing levels, or axe a number of services they provide to patients.

Last week, local pharmacists Paula McDaid, from Ardglass, and Ian Gabbie, from Killyleagh, discussed their concerns about a £30m cut in the community pharmacy budget with South Down Assemblyman John McCallister, a member of the Stormont Health Committee.

Fears are growing that service cutbacks are inevitable due to a reduction in funding, with question marks hanging over the collection and delivery of preions which is offered by some local pharmacies for the elderly, infirm and house-bound.

Ms. McDaid described the current situation as “critical,” explaining there is a real concern that community pharmacies across Northern Ireland could close within the next month or so unless the funding issue is resolved.

She said the reduction in funding could force her to reduce the prescription delivery service she offers to patients.

“I may have to take a van which delivers medication to people off the road two days a week. Reducing the community pharmacy budget will have a major impact on people, especially those in the community, with pharmacists also having to make savings and review the services they currently provide,” she said.

Ms. McDaid said pharmacists currently make up so-called monitor dosage trays which contain people’s daily medicines for a week. She explained while it’s a vital service specifically aimed at the elderly and people who have mental health issues, it’s one she has had to cap.

Mr. Gabbie said this particular time-consuming service isn’t funded, but is provided by pharmacists as a goodwill gesture, even though it isn’t cost effective.

“If pharmacists are not properly funded then they can’t provide the quality service that the public deserves,” he continued. “In Killyleagh we are running a health check week looking at blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose levels to signpost people to GPs.

“By doing this, issues can be picked up but it’s not something we can do all the time at the moment because there isn’t a properly-funded package in place. In many cases, pride is keeping pharmacies going today.”

Mr. Gabbie said community pharmacists can help keep people out of hospital by picking up conditions early and referring them to their GP. But he said the value of this work is not being recognised which compounds frustration among community pharmacists about the current funding situation.

Mr. McCallister said community pharmacists are concerned at the level of funding they get from the Department of Health and the loss of around £30m from their budget.

“This issue needs to be sorted out, otherwise there will be an impact on services which people rely upon. Pharmacies are at breaking point and in the absence of agreement on the funding issue, services will be affected and pharmacies could close,” he continued.