Hundreds of pharmacies in England are at risk of closing by the end of 2024, according to a report on Good Morning Britain (GMB).

Extra costs announced in the recent budget are set to have a "huge" impact on the sector where many are "already struggling to keep their doors open".

Figures obtained by GMB from the Independent Pharmacy Association and Community Pharmacy England showed:

  • Pharmacies will be forced to pay an extra £12,000 a year in new budget-related costs
  • Despite NHS funding being cut by 30% since 2015
  • As a result 1 in 6 pharmacies in England are at risk of closing by the end of 2024

GMB correspondent, Nick Dixon, said: "A lot of pharmacies are running out of ideas to stay afloat at a time when they are providing really important NHS services."

Boyatt Pharmacy owner Mitesh Patel spoke to Mr Dixon on GMB on Friday (November 8) and said he was "very concerned" following news of the extra costs announced in the budget.

Mr Patel said: "We were already dispensing at a loss and now with these extra costs we just don't know how we are going to survive."

£22 billion NHS boost announced in budget

However, help for some of these struggling pharmacies may be on the way after £22 billion worth of NHS funding was announced in the budget.

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The Government, in a statement on GMB, said: "The budget did mean tough decisions on spending and there was a £22 billion boost for the NHS.

"We'll set out further allocation of that in due course."

But Mr Dixon said pharmacies needed clarity on funding "sooner rather than later".