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Pharmacy Voice has welcomed the Government's commitment to frontload and increase investment in the NHS but warns that with the continuing uphill struggle to meet the £22bn funding gap, the pressures on the healthcare system to cut costs "still weigh heavy".

"Through these challenging times we call on policymakers to recognise the efficiencies that the 11,764 small, medium and large businesses that make up the community pharmacy network and their combined workforce of over 80,000 people, already bring to the health system, and the huge potential to do more," the organisation said in a statement released today (November 26).

"With the right changes to policy and practice, community pharmacy teams could help to radically improve the value and effectiveness of the medicines that are paid for by the NHS and reduce demand for higher cost services. This will help to safeguard a sustainable NHS and importantly, improve patient outcomes and experience."

However Pharmacy Voice expressed its concern about the proposed cuts to public health budgets. "This will reduce access to services such as stop smoking, alcohol and weight management €“ services which are essential if we are to improve disease-prevention and population health outcomes."