Ulster Unionist MLA Alan Chambers has angrily hit out at the decision by health officials to close the Pharmacy Rural Access Funding Scheme at the end of next month, warning that it could see the ‘decimation’ of pharmacies across many rural areas.

Alan Chambers said:

“Pharmacists have a key role in delivering healthcare, particularly in our rural towns and villages. Worryingly I have recently been contacted by some local businesses warning that they may soon have to close their doors as a direct result of the decision by some civil servants to withdraw all funding from a scheme essential for the viability of many of Northern Ireland’s smaller and more rural pharmacies.

“At a time when every single review of health care – from Transforming Your Care to Bengoa - repeatedly state that an enhanced role for pharmacies would really ease many of the pressures on primary care services, it is ridiculous now for unnamed officials to be withdrawing what in the overall scale of things is relatively little support.

“Currently there are 73 pharmacies across Northern Ireland in receipt of the support. It’s calculated as the differential between the number of prescriptions they dispense and the NI monthly average and is essential in ensuring these smaller businesses remain viable and most importantly keep their doors open.

“These pharmacies, whilst with a smaller population compared to their urban colleagues, often cover a far larger catchment area. In particular these smaller pharmacies often play an essential role in managing patients with long-term conditions and go well above and beyond the call of duty.

“My Party has now written to the Department of Health demanding answers as to why this funding has been cut. There is a very real danger that if the decision goes ahead we could see an immediate reduction in the number of rural pharmacies operating across Northern Ireland. If that were to happen it would only heap further pressure on the already struggling local health service.

“Major decisions such as these, taken by officials with zero accountability or explanation, are a clear example of why we need a locally functioning Executive. For as long as Sinn Fein continue to pay more attention to an Irish Language Act, patients and service users will continue to lose out.”