PHARMACISTS are to be balloted over a potential work-to-rule amid a row over funding.

Such action could see pharmacies cut their opening hours or provide fewer services.

Pharmacy leaders say that the sector’s ability to provide safe care is being put at risk by reduced government financial support via the NHS.

The National Pharmacy Association, which represents community pharmacies, has called for funding in England to increase by £1.3 billion.

It has launched a ballot of members asking if they would reduce their service unless there was more money made available for pharmacies.

The association said that action could start before Christmas if a majority of participants vote in favour.

Chief executive Paul Rees said: “Pharmacies are routinely required to dispense NHS medicines at a loss [and] 1,500 have been forced to close in the past decade. That is not acceptable and is hitting patients hard.”

Community Pharmacy England chief executive Janet Morrison said the announcement “should be a serious warning” to the government and the NHS.

The Department of Health and Social Care said: “We will make better use of pharmacists’ skills, including accelerating the rollout of independent prescribing to improve access to care.”