Richard Drax, MP for South Dorset has asked Andrea Leadsom, Minister for Primary Care and Public Health how Portland can retain the pharmacies it “desperately needs”.
Responding to the launch of Pharmacy First in the House today, Drax said, “The island of Portland did have two pharmacies; both run by Boots. One is now shut.”
Asking the Minister for a meeting, Drax said they needed to “discuss how we can ensure that deprived areas like Portland can retain the pharmacies that they desperately need.”
In response, Ms Leadsom said that she would be happy to meet with Drax.
Pharmacy First means that for the first time ever, community pharmacies in England will be able to offer NHS consultations and supply prescription-only medicines without a prescription from a GP for seven common conditions.
It represents an investment in community pharmacy of up to £645million and will expand the number of blood pressure checks and contraceptive services offered.
Over 10,000 community pharmacies (circa 95 percent) have signed up to start offering Pharmacy First to their communities. Patients will be able to walk into a pharmacy to access the service.
From 2026 all newly qualified pharmacists will be independent prescribers on the day of registration, expanding their clinical role across the NHS.