Community Pharmacies Face Increased Pressure as Business Rate Rise Announced for April 2026

The government has confirmed a significant increase in business rates scheduled for April 2026—a change that is expected to place further financial strain on already stretched community pharmacies. The National Pharmacy Association has warned that this rise could drive many pharmacies “to the brink of collapse” without swift and meaningful government support.

In response to these concerns, and following a recommendation from our Committee, Community Pharmacy HIOW has written to all Members of Parliament across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Our message is clear: urgent action is needed to safeguard the future of the community pharmacy sector and the vital services it provides.

To support a united effort, we have also created a letter template that pharmacy owners can personalise and send to their local MP. We strongly encourage all contractors to make use of it. Coordinated engagement at both local and national levels will amplify our collective voice and increase the likelihood of achieving the protections and reforms our sector desperately needs.

Thank you for your ongoing dedication to community pharmacy and the patients we serve.

 

 Dear [MP Name],

 

Re: Serious Concerns About the April 2026 Business Rates Increase and the Future of My Pharmacy

 

I am writing to you not just as a business owner, but as someone who lives and works in this community, and who cares deeply about the people we serve every day. The substantial rise in business rates scheduled for April 2026 poses a very real threat to the future of my pharmacy, and I am asking for your support before the impact becomes irreversible.

Community pharmacies like mine are already under immense pressure. We are delivering more NHS services than ever, yet our costs continue to rise while our income remains tightly controlled. Because around 90% of our income comes from NHS‑funded services on fixed fees, we simply cannot increase prices or generate extra revenue to offset major cost increases. This leaves little to no flexibility when faced with large, mandatory overheads such as business rates.

The upcoming rates rise could add thousands of pounds a year to my operating costs. For some pharmacies, this increase will be much higher. At a time when many pharmacies have already closed their doors in recent years — including some longstanding, trusted names — I worry that this rise could push more of us past breaking point. Speaking personally, it has become harder each year to balance the books while still providing the level of care my patients deserve.

If this increase goes ahead without any form of relief or support, I fear the consequences will be felt widely across our area:

• Reduced access to NHS‑funded services
• Increased pressure on GP surgeries and urgent care
• Risks to patient safety as pharmacies become overstretched
• Loss of trusted, familiar healthcare support in our neighbourhoods
• Growing inequality, particularly for patients in rural or disadvantaged communities

 

This isn’t simply a financial challenge — it is an issue of patient access, continuity of care, and community wellbeing.

I would be extremely grateful for your help in the following areas:

1. Introducing business rates relief or reimbursement for community pharmacies, similar to the support already provided to GP practices and NHS dentists.
2. Including pharmacies in any broader high‑street or community‑service business rates support schemes.
3. Ensuring a broader review of the long‑term sustainability of pharmacy funding, as more unfunded costs are becoming impossible to absorb.
4. Seeking clarity from HM Treasury and the Department of Health and Social Care on:
   • What assessment has been made of the impact of the April 2026 rates rise on pharmacies
   • Whether financial support or mitigation is being considered
   • How the government intends to safeguard patient access to pharmacy services if closures continue

I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you — either in person or online — to share more about the challenges we are facing locally, and to discuss how we can work together to protect the vital role pharmacies play in our communities.

My pharmacy is more than a business. It is a place where people come for reassurance, advice, urgent help, vaccinations, and vital medicines. It is part of the fabric of this community. I want to continue serving the people who rely on us every day, but I am genuinely worried about what the April 2026 rates increase could mean for our future.

Thank you for your time, and for any support you can offer.

 

Yours sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Role / Pharmacy Owner]
[Pharmacy Name]