Nearly nine out of ten UK pharmacies have faced a spike in shoplifting over the past year, according to a new National Pharmacy Association (NPA) survey of around 500 independent chemists.
The same report reveals that 87% of pharmacies have endured rising levels of aggressive or intimidating behaviour, and over one in five (22%) have suffered physical assaults on staff. Yet when these crimes are reported, 73% of respondents say the police response is woefully inadequate.
Representing over 6,000 independent pharmacies, the NPA has condemned what it calls the “unacceptable abuse of hard-working pharmacy teams” and is urging law enforcement to take tougher action. The association warns that theft of medicine, particularly controlled drugs, poses serious health risks and may be driven by criminal exploitation. Some stolen medicines, it notes, are being mixed into dangerous concoctions, making pharmacy theft far more serious than petty shoplifting.
NPA chair Olivier Picard shared his own recent experience on social media, describing how a man walked into Newdays Pharmacy in Reading, casually picked items off the shelves and left. While Picard was speaking to a patient about vaccinations, the thief “walked out without a second thought”.
Picard pursued the man outside and was met with threats and according to him, despite the incident being caught on CCTV, Thames Valley Police told him they would not send officers to the scene. Instead, he was given a crime number and later informed a crime prevention officer would visit in the coming days.
“While I appreciate the response, something feels missing,” Picard wrote on LinkedIn. “My staff and patients deserve to feel safe. My pharmacy is in one of the most deprived parts of Reading, but that should never mean we accept theft as part of the job.”
The NPA said the shocking rise in theft highlights how exposed community pharmacies have become and stressed that pharmacies aren’t obliged to supply NHS medicines to anyone committing, or threatening, criminal behaviour. It has called on the NHS to extend the same security support to pharmacies that GP practices have previously received, such as funding for CCTV, panic alarms and other safety measures.
Pharmacy owners speaks out
The NPA highlighted the experience of Sanjeev Panesar, a Birmingham-based pharmacy owner, who has witnessed an alarming shift over the past year.
“Over the last 12 to 18 months, we’ve seen a noticeable rise in petty theft across our pharmacies,” he explains. “Some people try to be discreet, slipping items into pockets or bags when they think no one’s watching. But others are shockingly brazen, filling bags openly and strolling out without the slightest concern about being caught.”
Panesar’s staff often spot the incidents themselves, but customers sometimes alert them too. All of his premises have CCTV, and he has developed a system to share information internally. “We circulate footage across our group so staff can be on the lookout,” he says. “We also work with neighbouring businesses to share information on repeat offenders. We’ve even discussed displaying photos of known thieves in our pharmacies and partner shops, to make it clear they’re being watched and will be reported.”
Thefts are only part of the problem. The abuse and intimidation directed at pharmacy staff are becoming more frequent. “My staff have been shouted at, intimidated and even physically threatened,” Panesar says firmly. “Neither should ever be part of their role. These are healthcare professionals here to serve their communities. Facing hostility like that is disheartening. It affects morale, job satisfaction, and, most importantly, how safe they feel at work.”
For pharmacy owners, there is a constant dilemma: should staff challenge offenders or prioritise their safety? Panesar admits it’s a difficult balance. “I’ve personally intervened and even chased offenders, not because it’s ideal but to show my team I stand with them. I want to send a clear message: this behaviour will not be tolerated.”
In the past, he has hired security guards, a measure that worked but is not always sustainable. “Theft dropped dramatically,” he recalls. “But it comes at a huge cost, especially in a sector that’s already been underfunded for over a decade.” The frustration, Panesar says, is that these crimes divert focus from what pharmacy teams should be doing.
His concerns are echoed by Dr Umesh Patel MBE DL, owner of Leema Pharmacy in Sunderland. “There is a growing sense among victims of burglary and petty crime that the system does not adequately protect them,” Dr Patel says. “Too often, those committing such offences face few consequences, leaving victims feeling helpless and disillusioned.”
He points to systemic issues: underfunded policing, lack of direction, and a legal system perceived as prioritising offenders’ rights over victims’ needs. Recalling a theft at his own pharmacy where staff were assaulted, he says, “Only when I insisted the incident be treated as an assault did the police take meaningful action. This shows determined enforcement can work, but it should not require victims to demand action so forcefully.”
Both pharmacists agree on the way forward: visible policing, proper resources, and a consistent approach to prosecution. Without stronger deterrents, they warn, communities and frontline healthcare teams will continue to feel vulnerable.