Rural areas of England are at risk of becoming ‘pharmacy deserts’, with nearly all seeing at least one close in the past two years, according to the National Pharmacy Association.
In a new report, it said people in the countryside were particularly impacted because rural areas rely on only one or two pharmacies.
Cllr David Fothergill, Chairman of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board, said: “Councils want every local area to have a strong community pharmacy network, particularly those in deprived areas with the greatest health needs, or rural communities with the furthest distance to travel.
“People rely on their local pharmacy, not just as a place to get medicines, but also as somewhere to go for informal health advice and information. If this lifeline is removed, it would mean more people having to travel longer distances to GP surgeries and adding to existing pressures.
“Pharmacies have an important place in our local economy. They are vital to ensuring diverse and vibrant high streets, which can otherwise be dominated by betting shops, takeaways and charity shops. Losing our pharmacies could leave gaps in high streets that may never be filled.”