Pharmacists are to be put to a vote on a possible “work by ritual” move amid a row over funding.
The action could cause pharmacies to open fewer hours or potentially provide fewer services.
This comes as industry leaders said the ability to provide safe care was at risk from a decline in funding.
The National Pharmacy Association (NPA), which represents community pharmacies, has called for a £1.3bn increase in funding in England.
It has launched a vote among its members to ask them whether they will reduce their service unless more money is allocated to pharmacies.
The NPA is not a trade union, so any outcome of the vote would be advisory.
But the association said the measures could start before Christmas if the majority of voters vote in favour.
Pharmacists to be put to a vote on possible ‘work-out’ action amid funding dispute
Measures could include opening pharmacies only for the minimum number of hours, withdrawing the provision of free medicine deliveries and possibly posting notices about some services, such as some emergency contraception or smoking cessation support services.
Paul Rees, chief executive of the NPA, said: “It pains us to take this step, but pharmacies are being pushed to the brink by a decade of real-terms cuts that have slashed 40% of their funding.
‘Pharmacies are routinely forced to dispense NHS medicines at a loss; 1,500 have been forced to close in the past decade, while others have had to reduce hours to try to make ends meet.
“This is unacceptable and is having a severe impact on patients.
Measures could include opening pharmacies only for the minimum number of hours, withdrawing the provision of free deliveries of medicines and potentially notifying some services (stock).
‘We desperately want to work with Wes Streeting and the new Government to unlock the enormous potential of pharmacies to deliver the best community health we all desire.
‘But despite big deals for junior doctors and train drivers since the election, there is no sign – so far – of an end to the chronic cuts in real terms that are literally driving dedicated health professionals in pharmacies out of business.’
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: ‘This Government inherited a broken NHS where pharmacies have been neglected for years.
‘Pharmacies are key to making healthcare fit for the future as we shift the focus of the NHS from hospitals to the community.
“We will make better use of pharmacists’ skills, including accelerating the implementation of independent prescribing to improve access to care.”
