Focus needs to be on pharmacy after GPs get additional funding boost

An improved contract for community pharmacy should now be next on the government’s agenda after GPs were given an extra £889m in a contract agreed on Friday (28).

The new agreement for the 2025/26 financial year will see the total value of the GP contract grow by 7.2%.

Pharmacy has been without a contract since April 2024 and whilst negotiations between Community Pharmacy England (CPE) and the government remain ongoing, there is no fixed date as to when a new contract will be announced.

Malcolm Harrison, chief executive at The Company Chemists' Association (CCA), said: “We are pleased that the government’s actions reflect their stated ambition to move care from hospital to community. Now, it is time to focus on the community pharmacy contract.

“We are hopeful that this positive intent will also be reflected in the contract for pharmacies that is currently being negotiated. Core funding for community pharmacy has decreased in real-terms by over £1bn since 2015/16, and it is past time for pharmacies to see a funding increase.”

In the new contract agreed with the British Medical Council (BMA), to ensure the functionality in GP Connect is enabled by October.

The GP Connect Update Record will allow community pharmacies to securely share “structured” information with GP practices regarding consultations conducted under the Pharmacy First programme, which includes minor illness and clinical pathways, along with hypertension case finding and pharmacy contraception services.

As a result of collective action over a lack of funding, GPs stopped using the service last July.

“Enabling GP Connect will allow for more integration between GPs and community pharmacy. This is essential to providing patients with the best possible care and bringing together all parts of primary care,” said Harrison.