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. 

The pharmacy negotiator has said that the increased national living wage is “not sustainable” for the sector without additional funding.

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. 

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. 

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.

The deconstruction of the sector giant has provoked strong reactions across the community pharmacy sector.

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. 

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.