The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) announced last month that commissioners had agreed to remove the requirement to undertake two clinical audits in 2023/24 as part of “imposed” changes to the pharmacy contract.

It reiterated today (May 22) that there will be “no mandatory clinical audits in 2023/24” for contractors, meaning they are “not required to undertake” either a contractor-chosen clinical audit or one determined by NHS England (NHSE).

Read more: PSNC hits back as DH ploughs ahead with reduced PQS amid 'imposed' changes

PSNC said that the removal of the 2023/24 requirements comes in response to its “request to remove this clinical governance requirement for contractors in 2023/24”.

It added that while the reduced Pharmacy Quality Scheme (PQS) for 2023/24 includes a clinical audit on anticoagulants, there is “still no requirement” to complete two clinical audits for the year if contractors choose not to participate in PQS.

DH mulling permanent axe

And the negotiator also pointed out that commissioners are looking at axing some requirements entirely.

It said that the Department of Health and Social Care (DH) and NHSE have “committed to consider…the removal of the requirement for a contractor-chosen clinical audit permanently”. 

This is due to take place “during 2023/24”, it added.

Read more: Valproate chosen again as clinical audit focus for pharmacies in England

The commitment was first announced in a DH letter sent to contractors earlier this month (May 12), which also revealed that the government is steaming ahead with plans to launch tier two of the national community pharmacy contraception service in early October.

PSNC announced in November that all pharmacies in England would have to complete a national clinical audit focusing on sodium valproate for 2022/23.