PHARMACISTS in Uxbridge and South Ruislip are asking the Government not to backtrack on promises to cover COVID-19 costs.

They have launched a poster, leaflet and social media campaign highlighting £370m in nationwide COVID costs which the Government is yet to reimburse.

Sanjay Doegar, owner of Ruislip Manor Pharmacy, said: “My pharmacy and many others like it have continued to see patients while other parts of the health system went behind closed doors.

“As a result, we have incurred massive extra costs and the Government needs to cover this, as promised.”

National Pharmacy Association chief executive Mark Lyonette said: “Pharmacies have been a local lifeline during the coronavirus crisis – a vital part of the NHS frontline - but the Government continues to drag its feet over offering proper financial assistance.

“The Prime Minister promised to give the NHS whatever it needs to cope with coronavirus and pharmacies are a vital part of the NHS frontline.

“We need Government to make good on commitments to meet all the additional costs associated with coronavirus.”

Protests are taking place in the constituencies of ministers, including the PM, Health Secretary and Chancellor.