Sunday 7 August 2022 01:16 AM Pharmacies in crisis as 650 disappear from the high street in six years trends now
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Almost 650 pharmacies have vanished from high streets across England in the past six years.
Overall, one in 18 has shut since 2016, but in the worst-hit places more than a fifth have gone, leaving ‘chemist deserts’ where people struggle to access vital services.
Last night chemists said a mix of sky-high business rates, poor financial recognition for their role and the ‘Amazonification’ of medicine supplies had conspired to bring many down.
And they warned the trend would only continue unless Ministers acknowledged their plight and took steps to save them.
Dr Leyla Hannbeck, chief executive of the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies, which represents many family-run businesses, said: ‘In the past six years, almost 650 pharmacies in England have closed their doors for good, and
