Industry reports indicate that chemists require extra money to cover exceptional costs, with some even being forced to hire security guards as they deal with an unprecedented number of prescriptions. The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee, which represents the industry in financial discussions with the government, said that the sector was heading towards a “cliff-edge”.
According to the chemists there is a sharp rise in demand for prescription medication which has exacerbated an existing problem, with the NHS drugs tariff, which pharmacies receive for selling generic prescription drugs, in some cases being considerably lower than the prices they pay suppliers, raising the prospect of heavy losses.
