
Are you ready for Pharmacy First? Deadlines for upfront cash announced
Pharmacies must sign up to deliver the new Pharmacy First service by the end of the year to receive a £2,000 cash injection in time for the service launch in February, the negotiator has announced.

UPDATED: Living wage increase will cost pharmacy sector up to £195m, warns CPE
The pharmacy negotiator has said that the increased national living wage is “not sustainable” for the sector without additional funding.

Ash Soni: Independents ‘not aware of just how financially challenged’ they are
The president of the National Association of Primary Care (NAPC) has warned that many independent pharmacy owners aren’t aware of the extent of the financial challenges they face.

No plans to expand Pharmacy First conditions ‘at present’, says Leadsom
The government has said that no assessment has been made “so far” into expanding the new common conditions service beyond the initial seven conditions it will cover.

‘Absolutely not!’: Strong opposition to offering vapes in pharmacies, shows poll
Almost three-quarters of respondents to a C+D snapshot poll have said that they do not think that vapes should be offered in community pharmacies.

‘Historically significant’: All the reaction to Lloydspharmacy’s high street exit
The deconstruction of the sector giant has provoked strong reactions across the community pharmacy sector.

‘Very positive’ but ‘not perfect’: Contractors on recovery plan reforms
Despite generally welcoming the raft of upcoming changes to community pharmacy services in England, contractors who spoke to C+D raised concerns about consultation thresholds, IT developments and core funding.

‘Death blow’: Contractors despair amid ‘biggest ever’ rise to living wage
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has announced that the national living wage will rise by 9.8%, but pharmacy contractors have warned this will be a “death blow” to the sector.

Pharmacy First IT updates: Pharmacists to have greater GP records access
Pharmacists will have greater access to GP records and be able to receive urgent referrals digitally under the new Pharmacy First service launching next year.

MPs urged to bring Pharmacy First launch forward for winter
NPA vice-chair Jay Badenhorst has told MPs that the upcoming Pharmacy First service should be introduced sooner as the sector gave evidence at the HSCC’s pharmacy inquiry.

New five-year drugs pricing deal could lead to shortages, warns BGMA
A new five-year voluntary scheme for branded medicines pricing will double the cap on branded medicines sales growth to 4%, the government and industry have announced.

‘Sustainable footing’: Pharmacy First funding writes off £112m clawback
The Pharmacy First deal has seen 17% of the £645 million budget go to writing off excess fees claimed by pharmacy contractors, it has been announced.
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