When I was made aware by constituents that the Newton Ferrers Pharmacy was facing closure, I made it a priority to visit the pharmacy in the New Year.
I've long been a supporter of community pharmacies, spending time at many chemists in and around South West Devon. The situation has never been this dire.
Despite the clear need for her medical service in the community, Newton Ferrers pharmacist and owner Esi Kumurdzi is having to use her own money to subsidise the cost of prescriptions. Like many pharmacists, a great deal of the medicine Esi buys she sells at a loss. One example is blood thinner, which she loses 93p on for every packet.
I saw for myself how busy the pharmacy is. Esi, supported by only two colleagues, serves more than 1,300 patients from the villages of Newton Ferrers and Noss Mayo. Many of Esi's loyal customers are elderly and have described her care in the community as a lifeline.
Esi fears that without the NHS Pharmacy contract changing soon, she will be forced to close her pharmacy in just months.
Pharmacists should not be out of pocket for the vital services they provide in our community. South West Devon alone has 14 pharmacies, each facing the same challenges. If they close it will leave many isolated and only move the problem along to GPs, adding further pressure on NHS waiting lists.
This petition makes a simple ask. It calls on the new Government to ensure that the NHS funding pharmacists receive for prescriptions match their cost. Please consider adding your support to cut pharmacists a fair deal and help save the Newton Ferrers Pharmacy.
