Henley MP says rising Pharmacy First targets put rural pharmacies at risk
Freddie van Mierlo asks Government to ensure they receive fair treatment
MP for Henley and Thame, Freddie van Mierlo, has raised concerns about the impact of funding thresholds on rural pharmacies, highlighting the pressures faced by smaller community providers under the NHS Pharmacy First scheme.
Pharmacy First allows pharmacies in England to treat a range of common conditions, such as a sore throat, sinusitis or uncomplicated urinary tract infection, without patients needing to see a GP.
Under the scheme, pharmacies receive a £1,000 monthly payment once they meet a minimum number of clinical pathway consultations.
Freddie van Mierlo praised Pharmacy First, referring to it as a "great initiative," but said he is worried that the rising threshold is causing some pharmacies in Oxfordshire to struggle or even close.
He explained that when the programme was introduced in 2024, pharmacies were required to complete one consultation to qualify for the payment, but the threshold has since increased in stages and is set to reach 30 consultations per month.
Mr van Mierlo said he had heard from staff at Benson pharmacy in his constituency about the challenges posed by the higher targets.
He highlighted the importance of keeping these businesses open: "When you're in a really difficult situation, your family member is ill, or maybe yourself, you don't want to be travelling long distances to get to a pharmacist.
"Also you may need frequent prescriptions, your doctor may change your prescription or prescribe additional medicines that you may need and that requires frequent trips to pharmacists so it's really essential for patients to have that local person that they can reach out to."
Freddie van Mierlo shared national figures which indicate that as the consultation threshold has risen, more pharmacies have fallen short of the target.
In several months across 2024 and 2025, more than 6,000 pharmacies in England did not meet the required number of consultations.
The cumulative value of unclaimed £1,000 payments has been estimated at £71.69 million.
He said: “Under the current system, many pharmacies are effectively being asked to deliver the service for free simply because they serve smaller communities. That is not a sustainable model for small community providers.
“I asked the Secretary of State what steps will be taken to ensure rural pharmacies receive fair treatment and proper support so they can continue serving our communities.
"I am pleased the minister took on board my comments and committed to take rural needs into account."