THE threat of closure for a village pharmacy has prompted a Devon MP to launch a petition which she believes could prevent other community outlets from going to the wall.
South West Devon MP Rebecca Smith has launched a petition demanding that NHS funding matches the costs faced by pharmacists, after being alerted to the threat of closure of Tubbs Pharmacy in Newton Ferrers.
The owner of Tubbs Pharmacy, Esi Kumurdzi, told the MP she that she is worried she will be forced to close due to rising staff costs and having to pay medicine suppliers more than she is repaid by the NHS.
The MP said the owner is having to use her own money to subsidise the cost of prescriptions and many of the medicines she sells are at a loss
An example which is given is blood thinners, typically prescribed for older people, which cost 93p per packet more than NHS funding pays back to the pharmacy.
The pharmacy, which also employs two people, serves more than 1,300 patients from the villages of Newton Ferrers and Noss Mayo, and its loss could potentially leave many elderly residents without access to their medications.
Ms Smith said: “Having heard from pharmacy owner, Esi Kumurdzi and worried constituents before Christmas, I used my first Constituency Friday of 2025 to visit the village to hear more and see how I can help.
“Faced with rising staff costs due in large part to the Labour Government’s increase to employers National Insurance contributions and having to pay her supplier more for medicines than she is repaid by the NHS, Esi is rightly deeply worried.
“She currently provides a vital service to the population of Newton Ferrers and Noss Mayo, the majority of who are over retirement age.
“However, as things currently stand, she is nervous for the future.
“I have committed to Esi and her loyal customers that I will use every tool I have to raise this specific issue and the wider problems faced by community pharmacists. If we don’t get community pharmacy right, the rest of the health service will suffer.
“Please sign my petition to enable me to go to the Secretary of State for Health on behalf of the Newton and Noss Community, seeking support for their pharmacy and the thousands of community pharmacies across the country.”
Ms Smith added: “Esi fears that without the NHS Pharmacy contract changing soon, she will be forced to close her pharmacy in just months.
“If they [pharmacies] close it will leave many isolated and only move the problem along to GPs, adding further pressure on NHS waiting lists.”
To sign Rebecca’s petition click here.
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