“Unfortunately it has not been possible” for CPW to conclude discussions on the 2024/25 contractual framework for community pharmacies in Wales “prior to March 31”, it announced today (March 21).

The negotiator said that it understands “contractors will be starting to look towards planning their contractual requirements for the next financial year”.

Read more: Welsh pharmacies secure 5% funding increase for 2023/24

But it added that “tripartite discussions between CPW, Welsh government and local health boards” are “still ongoing”.

“We hope that these will be concluded in the near future,” it said.

It added that “communication will be shared with contractors as soon as it is possible to do so” and that it will arrange a “contractor event…during April/ May”.

English contract delays 

The news comes as England’s current five-year pharmacy deal is also due be replaced from April.

But last month, Community Pharmacy England (CPE) chief executive Janet Morrison said that there is a “question mark” over whether a new contract deal would be completed by March 31.

Read more: ‘We have to be realistic’: Government could impose new contract, CPE warns

She added that negotiations aren't completed by the start of the new financial year in “a lot of years”.

Morrison also warned pharmacies in England of the possibility of an imposed 2024/25 contract.

But she stressed that if this were the case, the negotiator will nonetheless “try to influence” the contract’s terms.