Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Negotiations on CPCF arrangements for 2022/23 begin

The tripartite negotiations to set the arrangements for the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF) in 2022/23 – Year 4 of the five-year CPCF deal – have now begun, the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) said.

The discussions, beginning ahead of the start of the financial year, are taking place between the PSNC and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSE&I).


It will cover issues related to service, funding and other arrangements for pharmacies in 2022/23, in line with the five-year CPCF deal.

The three entities will also discuss the progress made to date, which has been partly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, and the recent joint Annual Review process, where PSNC raised serious concerns around the available capacity within community pharmacy.

The negotiator stated that all parties recognise the contribution of community pharmacies towards the healthcare in the first three years of the five-year CPCF deal.

It added that the PSNC is committed to work to embed community pharmacies, and expand their role within wider NHS systems.

Bharat Patel, PSNC vice-chair and negotiating team member, and an independent community pharmacy contractor, said: “As we approach the end of Year 3 of the five-year CPCF arrangements, many contractors find themselves in an extremely difficult situation trying to balance spiralling costs, capacity pressures and the increasing workforce issues. Some of the immediate pressures of Covid-19 may appear to have gone away, but like most of the health service, pharmacies are not feeling any relief.

“PSNC’s Negotiating Team worked hard through the recent Annual Review process to show government and the NHS the reality facing community pharmacies. We set out our serious concerns around the capacity available in the absence of planned efficiency gains, and about the unsustainable efficiencies that the past two years have required of the sector.

“We have been clear that without the injection of additional funding, capacity is unlikely to be able to grow, particularly at a time of accelerated pressures on staffing.

He noted that though the Spending Review showed a funding uplift is not possible, but “we must continue to make a strong case for investment in the sector, and to seek fair funding for the walk-in advice that so many people are relying on from pharmacies.

“We are actively gathering evidence as we begin what we expect, once again, to be very challenging discussions.”

Andrew Lane Andrew Lane, chair, NPA

Commenting on the funding needs, the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) chair Andrew Lane, said: “We understand why this will be a challenging round of negotiations, but all parties should proceed on the basis that pharmacies provide vital services and deliver for the NHS in a cost-effective way.

“It’s time to end the years of underfunding in England and instead invest in pharmacies to meet the growing healthcare needs of the population.”

The PSNC informed that these negotiations will remain confidential but it will update contractors on the outcomes of these discussions.

More For You

Cargo plane unloading pharmaceuticals at US airport amid tariff concerns and stockpiling

Imports jumped in particular from Ireland, the top drug exporter to the US

Pic credit: iStock

Pharma imports to US surged in March as drugmakers look to avoid tariffs

Pharmaceutical imports to the US surged in March as drugmakers stocked up ahead of potential US tariffs on their products, which have historically been exempt from such fees.

Total imports of pharmaceutical products exceeded $50 billion in the month - the equivalent of 20 per cent of all pharmaceutical imports in 2024, according to data from a U.S. Commerce Department report on Tuesday.

Keep ReadingShow less
Scottish community pharmacist working in high street pharmacy with supportive environment

The PDA wants investment to reach those who deliver services to patients every day

Pic credit: iStock

Funding boost in Scotland “needs to work for not just pharmacy owners but pharmacists too”, says PDA

An increase in funding for community pharmacies in Scotland needs to lead to a greater focus on supporting pharmacists rather than “simply sustain business models”, according to the Pharmacy Defence Association (PDA).

Earlier this week, Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) accepted the Scottish government’s initial financial offer for the 2025/26 fiscal year, securing a guaranteed minimum reimbursement of £120 million for community pharmacies — up from £110 million from 2024/25.

Keep ReadingShow less
GP surgery upgrades for annual appointments

The surgeries will have additional space to “see more patients, boost productivity and improve patient care”

Pic credit: iStock

GP surgery upgrades to create 8.3 million more annual appointments

Over 1,000 GP surgeries will have their premises modernised to meet the needs of a further 8.3 million appointments each year, the government has announced.

Backed by a cash injection of over £102 million, the surgeries will have additional space to “see more patients, boost productivity and improve patient care”.

Keep ReadingShow less
Wales boosts funding for pharmacy-led UTI and sore throat test services

The sore throat test (STTT) and treat service will be widely available

Pic credit: istock

Welsh pharmacies receive funding boost for clinical services

Two key clinical services will be available in 99 per cent of community pharmacies across Wales after a boost in funding.

The sore throat test (STTT) and treat service and the urinary tract infection (UTI) service have both benefitted from contractual negotiations between the Welsh Government and Community Pharmacy Wales (CPW).

Keep ReadingShow less
Paul Bennett
Paul Bennett, CEO, Royal Pharmaceutical Society
Paul Bennett, CEO, Royal Pharmaceutical Society

Pharmacists need to take advantage of independent prescribing pathways, says Bennett

Independent prescribing will be a “significant point” in the history of community pharmacy, according to Royal Pharmaceutical Society chief executive Paul Bennett.

Last month, the RPS announced the launch of a comprehensive new prescribing development programme to support pharmacists across all stages of their prescribing careers.

Keep ReadingShow less