Twenty seven per cent of shops responding to a Chemist & Druggist magazine poll said they would have to introduce charges, while 42 per cent said they were “considering” it.

It comes after the Sunday Express revealed two-thirds of chemists had been forced to shed 2,000 staff between them after a £321million government funding cut.

The National Pharmacy Association claims up to 15,000 jobs could go unless the situation is reversed. Last month Lloyds Pharmacy said it would charge new patients for deliveries after announcing the closure of nearly 200 branches in England.

It will ask £35 for a six-month subscription, and £60 for 12 months.

Indira Panchal, who owns four Bedford pharmacies, said: “A time is going to come when people have to charge. We can’t carry on like this because it does cost a lot of money.”

But she said she would deliver free to elderly patients.

Alan Kurtz, owner of Fisher’s Pharmacy in South Norwood, London, said that if “everyone else” charged for deliveries, he would too.

The online poll between November 21 and December 4 included 156 respondents.