PHARMACY closures are a “widespread challenge” across England, the nation’s patient champion has warned as new figures show widespread temporary and permanent closures across the country.

Healthwatch England said that closures can have “huge impacts” on patients, particularly those in rural communities and older people.

New data obtained by Healthwatch through a freedom of information request found that 436 pharmacies closed permanently in England between January 1 and December 31, 2023 — the equivalent of eight pharmacies shutting their doors permanently weekly.