AN MP has expressed concern over the closure of a local pharmacy in Great Malvern. Peak Pharmacy, a chain with 150 chemists, has decided to shut down its store on Church Street. This news comes just months after Boots withdrew from the area. The closure is scheduled for February 29, leaving Great Malvern without a single remaining chemist.
West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin shared her disappointment, stating, “This is worrying news for people who rely on a chemists’ shop in the centre of Great Malvern.” She has reached out to the organization responsible for managing pharmacy provision in Worcestershire to search for a replacement plan. Baldwin has requested a review on the town’s coverage and pledged to monitor the situation closely as the pharmacy’s closure approaches.
Councillor Beverley Nielsen, from Malvern Hills District Council, expressed her concerns, saying, “It is a real loss to Great Malvern that soon there’s the possibility we won’t have a local chemist based in the town.” Peak Pharmacy was established in 1981 and is headquartered in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. Over the years, it has grown through mergers and acquisitions to become a business with over 150 pharmacies and an online presence.
Unfortunately, Peak Pharmacy, like its larger competitors, has had to close several branches in recent months. Boots, for example, has announced the closure of 300 shops within the next year. Consequently, many closures are expected in 2023, reducing the retailer’s total number of stores from 2,200 to 1,900. Furthermore, the owner of Lloyds Pharmacy has exited the high street pharmacy business by selling all 1,054 pharmacies under the Lloyds Pharmacy branding.
The closure of pharmacies has become a concerning trend in recent years. Community pharmacies play a crucial role in providing services to local neighborhoods, yet hundreds have been shut down. Financial struggles plague pharmacies as they face insufficient reimbursements from the NHS and skyrocketing pharmaceutical costs. Additionally, the NHS has increasingly relied on chemist chains to offer more services, such as vaccinations, further straining their resources.
The pharmacy industry has suffered a loss of £1.6 billion in the last decade due to the NHS’s failure to keep up with inflation in its pharmacy contract. Consequently, chemists are experiencing significant cuts in their funding, leading to the closure of many businesses.
This closure is yet another blow to Great Malvern, as the town will soon be without a local chemist. Residents will need to travel further for their medication needs, resulting in increased inconvenience. It is crucial for the local community and relevant authorities to work together to find a solution and ensure that residents have easy access to essential pharmacy services.
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