Commenting on the 2018 Budget, Chair of the English Pharmacy Board Sandra Gidley said:
"With additional funding already announced for the health service, the key question is how this will be allocated to implement the NHS Long-Term Plan.
"Supporting public health and prevention, investing in education and training, and ensuring patients and the NHS receive the most benefit from medicines must be prioritised.
"Community pharmacy owners may welcome future support around business rates, but will no doubt be looking for further progress to make the most of the community pharmacy network to improve patient care.
“Additional investment in mental health is welcome but this should also be targeted at support for people before they reach crisis point.
"As the third largest health profession, pharmacists working across the NHS can play a key role in closing the gap between people’s physical and mental health."