Numark has launched a toolkit to help its members raise local awareness of the planned cuts to pharmacy funding, which were announced at the end of last year.

The kit includes information on making contact with both the media and MPs and includes template letters and press releases. Numark members are also being encouraged to get their patients to sign the online petition to stop cuts to pharmacy funding and support pharmacy services that save NHS money at: petition.parliament.uk/petitions/116943.

John D’Arcy, Numark managing director, said in a statement: “There are still many unanswered questions raised by the pre-Christmas letter from the Department of Health and we need to see how the situation evolves. However, some of our members are keen to take action now as they fear the subsequent threat to their livelihood so, following discussions with contractors, we are making these resources available now."

Mr D'Arcy added that Numark is "writing to the Minister and maintaining an open dialogue with pharmacy representative bodies in order to ensure a co-ordinated response to the cuts from across the sector.”