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A national survey indicates that there has been a 10 per cent decrease in the number of pharmacists working in the community sector in England.

Published earlier this week, the Community Pharmacy Workforce Survey 2025 shows a drop in headcount terms from 28,763 pharmacists in 2024 to 25,822 in 2025, as well as a 0.6 per cent drop in the number of pharmacies – from 10,554 to 10,495.

NHS England said the findings show a 10 per cent drop in the number of community pharmacy locums compared to 2024. The 2025 data reveals a total headcount of 9,478 locum pharmacists and 4,597 full-time equivalent (FTE).

Despite these drops, the total community pharmacy workforce rose by seven per cent, a figure that includes a 77 per cent increase in pre-registration pharmacy technicians and a 27 per cent headcount rise in qualified pharmacy technician numbers (from 5,403 to 6,943).

There was also a 23 per cent rise in Foundation Year trainee pharmacists and a 35 per cent rise in the number of accuracy checkers.

The workforce survey shows 12 per cent of community pharmacists now have an independent prescribing qualification, with 3,154 IPs now working in the sector.

Of those with IP annotation, just over half were reported as actively using their qualification in their day-to-day practice.

Nick Thayer, head of policy at the Company Chemists’ Association, said: “We are alarmed by the sharp fall in pharmacist numbers, with the workforce decreasing by nearly 3,000 pharmacists in just one year.

 “A 10 per cent reduction in pharmacist numbers is hugely concerning. This comes at a time when the workload expected of the community pharmacy sector continues to rise considerably.

“Pharmacist numbers going down as rapidly as they are raises serious concerns about workforce sustainability and capacity. Urgent action, including additional funding, is needed to stabilise the workforce and prevent further decline. 

“We will continue to look closely at the detail behind the data to better understand what the trends are showing.”

Data for the survey was collected by the NHS Business Services Authority on behalf of NHSE. A total of 9,711 responses were received, a response rate representing 93 per cent of pharmacies.

NHSE said: “The data is intended to support decisions where community pharmacy workforce can contribute to supporting clinical service expansion and ensure that education reforms for both professions enable patients to receive more services from their trusted community pharmacies.”