Bracknell and Wokingham have one of the lowest numbers of pharmacies in the country, a report finds.

Analysis by the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has ranked Wokingham as the second lowest and Bracknell Forest as the fourth lowest number of pharmacies per 100,000 residents.

The number of pharmacies in Wokingham has fallen from 12.4 per head to 11.8 from 2024 to 2022, while the number in Bracknell has fallen from 13.4 to 12.7.

West Berkshire has been ranked as having the lowest provision compared to population levels, at 9.9 in 2024.

There are a total of 21 pharmacies in Wokingham, and 18 in Bracknell Forest.

Wokingham has seen a large increase in population levels – which has jumped by 15 per cent from 2011 to 2021. Similarly, Bracknell’s population has risen by 10%.

The NPA representing independent community pharmacies, warned that rural areas are becoming ‘pharmacy deserts’.

Of the 20 council areas with the lowest number of pharmacies, over three quarters were in rural locations.

Closures mean that people have to travel further for vital medication or medical advice, the NPA said.

The analysis further found that more deprived council areas had the highest levels of closures in the past two years. Plymouth, York and Liverpool were amongst the places with frequent closures.

This comes as there has been a 40 per cent real-terms cut to the pharmacy budget in the last decade, and a total closure of 1,400 pharmacies.

NPA chief executive Paul Rees said: “These shocking statistics show how a growing number of areas are at risk of becoming pharmacy deserts.

“Many pharmacies are on the brink because of a decade of real term cuts, creating a material threat to the security of medicine supply in some areas if closures continue.”

The association is holding it's second 'Save our Pharmacies' campaign day on September 19. The first, held on June 20, saw up to 6,000 pharmacies across the United Kingdom take part to 'make a powerful call for change and a better, more sustainable future'.

Pharmacies were asked to turn off lights from 9am-11am to represent 'dark times', post on social media, and to wear a black ribbon.

The campaign was supported by the Liberal Democrats and Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle.

Do you have to travel far to get to a pharmacy in Bracknell or Wokingham, or have you been affected by a closure? Or, do you work at a pharmacy struggling to cope with demand?  Get in touch by emailing: ruth.lucas@newsquest.co.uk.