Medway Pharmacies Under Threat

Your local pharmacy is more than just a place to get medicines. It provides a range of NHS services and ensures you can get face-to-face healthcare and professional advice without an appointment. Most pharmacies now have consultation rooms, where you can talk with your pharmacist without being overheard. What's more, pharmacies are part of the fabric of local communities. They provide local employment and are a health and social care asset close to where people live, work and shop.

There are around 13,000 community pharmacies across the UK, so for most of us, there's one very close by. In fact, 96% of people can get to a pharmacy within 20 minutes by walking or using public transport.

Medway Liberal Democrats want you and future generations to enjoy all the benefits of a vibrant network of community pharmacies.

Unfortunately, pharmacies are under pressure from NHS funding cuts and from Government policy, which appears to favour the online supply of medicines rather than your local pharmacies. Online supply is convenient for some - but your local pharmacy is more than just a place to get medicines and should not be put at risk.

The Government's experiment could see pharmacies close, thereby reducing people's access to medicines and healthcare advice, and putting extra pressure on GPs and hospitals. The proposals put at risk a part of the health system that holds the key to solving many of its problems. Patients would be the biggest losers. There are particular concerns about the risks to the most vulnerable people and the most deprived communities, where local pharmacies are often a lifeline.

Help us to keep the 'community' in community pharmacy, by writing to your local MP or signing the campaign petitions. Find out more at your local pharmacy or by visiting the website or signing the petition.