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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Denis Campbell Health policy editor

Pharmacy closures in England threaten plan to use them instead of GPs for some care

A pharmacist's arm reaching for medicine.
A total of 436 community pharmacies in England shut permanently in 2023. Photograph: Julien Behal/PA

High street pharmacies are closing at such an alarming rate that it threatens the drive to use them instead of GPs to care for millions of people, the NHS’s patient champion warns today.

A total of 436 community pharmacies in England shut permanently last year and there were also 13,863 temporary closures, which stopped patients from obtaining health advice and medication.

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