Economic pressures are blamed for the merger of busy pharmacies in York

Citywide Health, which operates eight pharmacies across York, will be moving its HD Pharmacy from HD Practice at North Lane to Parkers Pharmacy at 61, North Moor Road, which is directly opposite the current location.

Richard Harrison, director of Citywide Health, said: “Government funding for community pharmacies has been frozen for seven years, while the cost of running pharmacies has risen by 30 per cent.

“The closure of Lloyds Pharmacy at Sainsbury’s in Monks Cross demonstrates the financial difficulties faced by local pharmacies and combining our two pharmacies into one location is the only viable option to continue operating a pharmacy in Huntington.”

“Patients will continue to see the same friendly faces from both pharmacies in the new merged pharmacy.”

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Richard Harrison, Director of Citywide Health in York (Image: Citywide)

Pharmacy group Lloyds’ decision, announced earlier this year to close its concessions in Sainsbury’s supermarkets across the country, was met with dismay, The Press previously reported.

And Luke Charters, the future Labor candidate for York Outer, said he had written to a government minister to express his concerns.

Preparations for the move included the establishment of a new 24-hour medication collection point at Parkers Pharmacy, allowing patients to collect their medication at any time.

A new 24 hour medication collection point at Parkers Pharmacy (Image: Citywide)

Richard said patients should continue to order their prescriptions as usual and would be notified by text message of where to pick up their medicines.

A second consultation room has been added so that the pharmacy can provide Covid vaccinations in addition to their already busy travel vaccination service. Once the merger is complete, opening hours will be extended to 8pm on weekdays and 1pm on Saturdays.

Richard said the move away from the Huntington practice will create additional consultation space and make it easier to access GP appointments in Huntington.

Patients can sign up to use the 24-hour drug collection point by registering at the pharmacy or online at