SOUTH Lakes MP Tim Farron has written to the Department of Health and Social Care over the current pharmacy 'crisis'.

Mr Farron tabled a motion in Parliament calling for there to be an ‘Essential Community Pharmacy Scheme’ to allow independent pharmacies to get funding upfront, but Government are yet to respond.

Community pharmacies are in danger of going out of business because of reductions in payments for prescriptions by NHS England.

In one case, last November, Simon Butterworth of Collins and Butterworth in Hawkshead had to pay £5,000 of his own money to cover drugs costs due to NHS payments not covering his costs.

Mr Farron said: “Despite attracting support both locally and nationally, it’s very disappointing that we’ve had no response on this from the Government.

“It’s an absolute outrage that community pharmacies here in the South Lakes are losing thousands of pounds every month just for providing a vital NHS service.

“All of this is clearly unsustainable and many of our local community pharmacies may be forced to close unless urgent action is taken by the Government.

“I won’t stop banging on the Department for Health’s door until the future of our local pharmacies are secure.”

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “Pharmacies are an essential part of primary care, with over 1.2 million health related visits every day – that’s why we’re committed to ensuring they continue to play an important role in the health of our nation.

“Patient access to these services remains a Government priority—which is why we have safeguarded patient access in areas with fewer pharmacies, through the Pharmacy Access Scheme, so that everyone gets the care they need.”