Tonight: Pharmacies – The New NHS Frontline? (ITV Thursday 11 January 2024 8.30pm)

In this episode of Tonight, investigative journalist Paul Brand delves into the state of the pharmacy sector in the UK. While pharmacies currently serve about 1.6 million people each day, there is a troubling trend of closures, with an average of eight shutting down per week. This decline has brought the number of pharmacies to its lowest point since 2015.

Despite the dwindling numbers, the demand for pharmacy services is on the rise. The Government is increasingly relying on pharmacies to alleviate the strain on the overburdened NHS. But with the sector facing closures and stretched resources, there are concerns about whether pharmacies can meet the growing demands placed upon them.

Paul Brand explores the potential crisis in the pharmacy sector, examining the reasons behind the closures and the impact on the communities they serve. He will also investigate the future of these essential community institutions and the role they might play in the evolving landscape of healthcare provision.

Don’t miss Tonight on ITV at 8.30pm on Thursday, January 11, 2024, to gain insights into the challenges facing the pharmacy sector and the potential implications for the future of healthcare in the UK.