Pharmacists announce day of 'lights out' protest amid plans to have them to take over doctors in prescribing acne and HRT medications READ MORE: 'Skyrocketing' pharmacy closures as 10 shut their doors each week By Emily Stearn, Health Reporter For Mailonline Published: 11:12, 6 June 2024 | Updated: 11:16, 6 June 2024 e-mail 15 View comments Pharmacies across Britain will this month stage a 'day of action' turning off the lights in an 'emergency' protest over Government pay. Thousands of chemists, who provide NHS services, are expected to join the 'unprecedented' action on June 20 which will see them black out their windows. National Pharmacy Association (NPA) bosses claimed decade-long funding cuts have left pharmacy teams 'suffering from increased stress and demoralisation'.
It comes just days after the Conservatives pledged to expand the role of chemists if re-elected by giving them additional powers to prescribe acne medication, HRT drugs for the menopause , as well as contraceptive patches and injections. Under plans designed to free up millions of GP appointments, pharmacists can already prescribe for seven common ailments. Thousands of chemists are expected to join the 'unprecedented' action on June 20 which will also see windows blacked out.
National Pharmacy Association (NPA) bosses, however, warned it was not in a position to recommend a full strike after taking legal advice Under NHS plans to free up millions of appointments with family doctors, pharmacists can hand.
