The Government has recently announced a cut of £170M to the funding of community pharmacists (chemists) in England this year and further cuts have not been ruled out. It is believed that potentially 3,000 chemists could be closed.

The elderly and infirm in the community are more likely to require prescription medecine on a regular basis, and will find it harder to travel distances to town centre, rather the using the facility of a local chemist who is conversant with their needs.