Pharmacy budget cuts will hit local people warns Mayor

Mr Heading said that cuts to community pharmacy services in the Lisburn and Dunmurry areas will greatly impact on many vulnerable people.

“Plans to reduce the amount spent on pharmacies by one-third over the next year is a bad move and one that will have a direct impact on frontline health provision in the Lisburn and Dunmurry areas,” said Mr Heading.

“The local pharmacy is, for many people, the first port of call when they have ailments, in fact it’s the only port of call for so many, taking a huge burden of strain off our already under pressure surgeries and hospitals, during a time when A&E services are being closed and reduced.

“Pharmacies play a very important role in the community. We should be looking at ways to maximize their use, not reducing it. The department should be focusing on creative ideas, not simply cutting services.”

Gordons Chemist in Bow Street is also urging local people to sign a petition objecting to the budget cut proposals.

Aine McManus, Pharmacy Manager in the Bow Street branch, explained: “The cuts which have been imposed equate to up to an unprecedented 30% reduction in total funding for pharmacies. Pharmacies are reimbursed for dispensing prescriptions and other services like the minor ailments scheme. The reimbursement for some of the dispensing fees has been cut by more than half. In total a reduction in funding of up to 30% will seriously threaten pharmacy services.

“When this is compared to the cuts of around 5% to the health service as a whole it clear to see why pharmacy in under threat. Services which are unfunded such as prescription collection and delivery, health checks and community outreach work will be most at threat. However the longer term impact is uncertain, but the cuts could lead to redundancies and pharmacy closures.”

She continued: “We are urging our patients to sign a petition which will be forwarded to the Minister to show the public support for pharmacy and to campaign against these cuts.

“Patients who are concerned about the cuts are also encouraged to detail their concerns to the Health Minister Edwin Poots by writing a letter,” she concluded.

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