Community pharmacies in Wales say they are under worst pressure

Mark Griffiths, chairman of Community Pharmacy Wales, which represents 700 independent pharmacies across the country, said the future of some businesses was uncertain due to rising costs and an increased pressure to deliver more services.

He said he believes that the current climate is is the “worst it’s ever been for pharmacies”.

“We’ve had wages rising rapidly, rising costs across the board and pressure to increase the services we provide, but unfortunately we haven’t had the funding to match that,” he said.

He said many pharmacies have reported having to cut staff or cut their opening hours.

“This is simply an unsustainable situation. We’re doing the best we can, but I do believe we could do better if funded to the proper level,” he added.

David Thomas, a pharmacist in Newport for more than 20 years, said getting the medicine needed at an affordable price had become “very challenging”.