Pharmacies stop crucial drug service

Funding squeeze hits key support amid GPs’ action

- MARTIN BAGOT

PHARMACIES are withdrawing critical public health services due to lack of funding, as GPs continue with their first industrial action in 60 years.

Polling shows chemists are pulling support for newly prescribed medicines for conditions such as asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure and epilepsy.

Under the NHS New Medicine Service, pharmacists offer follow-up appointments to manage doses and side effects of vital drugs.

But the survey of 2,100 found a third have had to axe national pharmacy services, which include the NMS and vaccinations.