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All pharmacy professionals should take Covid jabs “at the earliest”, says GPhC

The General Pharmaceutical Council reiterated its stand on Covid-19 vaccination, saying, “Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians working in all settings across Great Britain should be vaccinated against Covid -19, unless they are medically exempt.”

In a statement issued today (February 11), it strongly urged all pharmacy professionals, students and trainees to get fully vaccinated at the earliest.


This reiteration follows the government’s announcement on January 31, 2022 that it would not proceed with Covid vaccination as a mandatory condition of deployment for health and care staff providing CQC-regulated services in England.

The Council stated that clinical trials have proven the efficacy and safety of Covid vaccines and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has authorised their use in the UK.

“Getting vaccinated is an important way in which pharmacy professionals can support and maintain public health. Vaccination against Covid-19 protects the individual, their family, and colleagues, as well as patients and the public,” GPhC said in the statement.

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Pharmacy owners to receive 19p SAF increase in advance payments for April and May 2025

The Single Activity Fee (SAF) was increased by 19p to £1.46 per item, effective from April 2024.

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19p SAF increase to be included in April and May 2025 advance payments

Following discussions with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), Community Pharmacy England (CPE) has agreed a mechanism that will allow pharmacy owners to receive the 19p increase to the Single Activity Fee (SAF) earlier for the dispensing months of April and May 2025.

CPE said: “The advance payments for these dispensing months will be adjusted to incorporate the uplift to the SAF. No adjustment to advance payments will be required from the June 2025 dispensing month onwards.”

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CPE invites pharmacy owners to share their views on new CPCF funding settlement

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Pharmacy owners asked to share their views on new CPCF arrangements

Community Pharmacy England (CPE) is urging pharmacy owners to share their views on the new Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF) funding settlement ahead of its next full Committee meeting, scheduled for 30 April–1 May.

The Committee said it had agreed to the settlement "reluctantly," acknowledging that it represents a significant shift after years of real-terms funding cuts, while admitting that it’s “still not sufficient to match the continued scale of pressures facing pharmacy businesses.”

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Homecare medicines services face many challenges beyond pharmacy's control

Homecare medicines services face many challenges beyond pharmacy's control

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GPhC calls for industry-wide collaboration to strengthen homecare medicines services

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has called for industry-wide collaboration to improve homecare medicines services to ensure patients always receive their medicines when needed.

The call follows a recent review by the regulator, which identified several challenges facing homecare services, many of which were beyond the immediate control of the pharmacies providing them.

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Lack of funding deters NI pharmacy contractors from expanding portfolio

W G Hamilton Pharmacy is the third pharmacy in Northern Ireland to be recently sold to first-time buyers.

Pharmacy ownership trends shift in Northern Ireland due to funding gap

An increasing number of pharmacies in Northern Ireland are being acquired by first-time buyers, as existing contractors and groups pull back from expanding their portfolios amid ongoing funding pressures, according to specialist business property adviser Christie & Co.

Among the most recent sales is W G Hamilton Pharmacy, a busy community pharmacy in Ballysillan, North Belfast.

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RPS backs Pharmacist Support "Gift in Wills" initiative

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Leave a legacy: RPS partners with Pharmacist Support to promote ‘Gift in Wills’

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has announced its support for the ‘Gift in Wills’ initiative run by Pharmacist Support, coinciding with the charity’s birthday celebrations today (Tuesday 15 April).

This collaboration allows RPS members to create a free will while also helping to safeguard the future of vital support services for the pharmacy profession.

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