Pharmacy First threshold increase: Community Pharmacy England urges Ministers to act

Community pharmacies cannot afford to lose out on this monthly Pharmacy First payment amidst a funding crisis - Janet Morrison 

Community Pharmacy England (CPE) has voiced concerns that pharmacy owners may find it challenging to achieve the increased Pharmacy First thresholds planned for September and October.

Following initial representations by CPE, Ministers agreed to temporarily reduce the threshold to 15 for August.

However, with no further updates since, the Pharmacy First threshold is set to rise to 20 clinical pathway consultations in September.

Janet Morrison, Chief Executive of Community Pharmacy England, expressed her concerns, stating: “The ability of pharmacy owners to meet the Pharmacy First monthly payment thresholds is a major ongoing concern, and the latest data highlights this burning issue.”

Janet noted that although the August adjustment provided some relief, Ministers must urgently take further action to support pharmacies through the planned increase in thresholds for September and October.

“Amidst a funding crisis, community pharmacies cannot afford to lose out on this vital payment,” she said.

Morrison stressed that community pharmacy has upheld its end of the agreement in launching the Pharmacy First service.

She called on NHS England to match this commitment with “more effective advertising and ensuring that GPs refer as many patients as possible.”

“We remain determined to push for full commitment on all sides to the shared objective of making the service a success, mindful that it is critical to the Government’s manifesto commitment to build on the service to create a wider Community Pharmacist Prescribing Service,” Janet added.

The CPE Committee recently conducted an opinion poll, inviting pharmacy owners to provide their insights and views on the rising Pharmacy First thresholds.

This feedback will be reviewed at the upcoming Community Pharmacy England Committee meeting in September.

Launched on January 31, 2024, the Pharmacy First service allows community pharmacies to offer advice to patients and supply NHS medicines (where clinically appropriate) to treat seven common health conditions without a prescription from a GP.

The seven conditions include earache, sore throat, sinusitis, impetigo, infected insect bites, shingles and urinary tract infections.

According to data from the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA), from 31 January to 30 April 2024, over 9,976 community pharmacies delivered and claimed over 423,000 Pharmacy First clinical pathway consultations.

Of these consultations, 78 per cent resulted in a medicine being supplied to patients.