Kensington and Chelsea pharmacies are facing a business rates inequity, prompting calls for council action. The issue was discussed at the Adult Social Care & Health Select Committee meeting on Wednesday, 18 June 2025, where concerns were raised about the financial pressures on local pharmacies.
The committee heard that K&C pharmacies are underperforming in terms of NHS pharmaceutical services, and that the single most impactful action the council could take would be to provide business rates relief to pharmacy owners. The report pack stated that GP surgeries are reimbursed for their business rates by the NHS, describing this as a Business Rates Inequity.
The committee also received an update from Hitesh Patel, CEO of COMMUNITY PHARMACY KCW, on community pharmacy matters. The report pack included an update on the national contract for community pharmacies for 2024/25 and 2025/26, noting a new funding settlement bringing a 7.5% increase in 2024/25 and a further 22.7% in 2025/26. However, it also noted that a funding gap of over £2 billion remains.
Pharmacy First performance was also discussed, with RBKC pharmacies showing modest activity. Factors affecting service activity include low GP referrals and a lack of awareness among residents. The committee also discussed the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) 2025-2028, which concludes that Kensington and Chelsea is well-served by pharmacies, despite the closure of the Tesco in-store pharmacy on West Cromwell Road. The consultation for the draft PNA is open until 8 August 2025.
Cllr Lucy Knight, Chair of the Adult Social Care and Health Select Committee, urged the council to consider the business rates inequity and its impact on local pharmacies. The committee agreed to develop a detailed work programme for 2025/2026, including budget scrutiny and the Annual Report of the Safeguarding Adults' Executive Board.