C+D visited PharmacyForum 2026 in Spain last week and spoke with senior pharmacy figures about key issues in the sector.
The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) chief executive Henry Gregg, the Company Chemists’ Association (CCA) chief executive Malcolm Harrison, the Independent Pharmacies Association (IPA) board member Ian Strachan and Community Pharmacy North East London chief executive Shilpa Shah said what they think should be the top priority in the next pharmacy contract.
Read more: A ‘policy wonk’ and the IP shift: Highlights from PharmacyForum
They also discussed what the biggest opportunities and challenges are facing community pharmacy.
It comes after pharmacy figures led discussions around IPs, the sector workforce and the new health secretary.
Read more: CPE ‘not really a negotiating committee’, says NPA chief exec
Gregg said Community Pharmacy England (CPE) “isn’t really a negotiating committee” as he discussed with Harrison and Strachan how much CPE can influence negotiations, how to lobby government more effectively, and whether they’re still a united front.
Property brokers Christie & Co told PharmacyForum delegates that the pharmacy market is “strong” and healthier than other business markets.
