Covid-19 cost claims: Less than three weeks left for contractors

The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) will host a second Covid-19 cost claims workshop for community pharmacy contractors on Monday (August 2) at 7.30 pm.

During the online workshop, PSNC’s CEO and Director of Pharmacy Funding will explain the deal reached with HM government, describe the NHSBSA claiming process, and work through some examples.

Community pharmacy contractors have less than three weeks left to claim for the extra costs they incurred due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Under the deal reached between PSNC and HM government, Covid-19 cost claims must be made between 5th July and 15th August 2021 using an agreed claim form provided by the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA), and payments will be made on 1st October 2021.

Contractors can claim for specific categories of Covid-19 related costs incurred between 1st March 2020 and 31st March 2021 for the delivery of NHS pharmaceutical services.

The NHSBSA claim form asks contractors to set out their costs according to these categories and to indicate the evidence they have for them.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has not set out detailed evidence requirements so this will need careful thought, particularly as contractors will also need to provide documentation to evidence their claims should the NHSBSA ask to see it.

"It is important that no contractor misses out on this opportunity, so please begin thinking about your Covid-19 costs and gathering evidence for them as soon as possible so you have adequate time to complete the claim form," said PSNC.