Politics

GPs and pharmacies must work in ‘joined-up way’, says BMA

 
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The BMA has urged GPs and community pharmacies to “work in a joined-up way” after GP leaders last week voted “overwhelmingly” for pharmacy blood pressure checks to be terminated immediately.

Pharmacy contract limbo: Have negotiations finally resumed?

 
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The pharmacy sector has been left in limbo since its five-year funding deal came to end in April, but after delay upon delay to negotiations, are we any closer to a new deal?

Change legislation so pharmacists can amend prescriptions, says RPS

 
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The RPS has called on the government to change legislation to allow community pharmacists to amend prescriptions when medicines are in short supply, a new report published today (November 26) has said.


NHSE 'really very tight’ on pharmacy, Hancock reveals

 
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The previous health secretary revealed NHSE’s “lack of enthusiasm” in supporting community pharmacy is “inbuilt” and it is “by tradition, really very tight on pharmacists” during his evidence at the latest Covid-19 Inquiry hearing.

Pharmacy collective action ‘will put immense pressure’ on GPs

 
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Pharmacy collective action would put strain on GPs who are “already struggling to keep up with appointments”, a GP practice has told C+D.

Pharmacists must not ‘directly engage’ patients in assisted dying debate

 
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The UK chief pharmaceutical officers (CPhOs) have set boundaries around pharmacist involvement in the assisted dying debate, amid calls for a “clear” role for pharmacists in the Scottish assisted dying bill.


Government to cut pharmacy business rates from 2026

 
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The government has introduced draft legislation to “permanently cut business rates” for pharmacies and other high-street retailers from 2026 as it continues to come under fire over its recent budget tax hikes, it has revealed.

US pharmacies endorse ‘vaccine-sceptic’ new health sec RFK Jr

 
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A US community pharmacy body has welcomed the nomination of Robert F Kennedy Jr as health secretary under Donald Trump’s new administration, despite his controversial comments about vaccines.

Collective action: NI minister to meet pharmacists over NPA ballot

 
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Community pharmacists are set to meet with a Northern Ireland Office (NIO) minister to discuss the sector’s funding crisis after the National Pharmacy Association’s (NPA) ballot received near unanimous support in favour of collective action.


NPA protest ballot: Government ‘committed to working with sector’

 
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The Department of Health and Social Care (DH) has admitted that the system is “no longer supporting” pharmacists, amid overwhelming support for pharmacy collective action.

Assisted dying bill reveals pharmacy tech role and opt-out clause

 
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The new end-of-life bill has revealed that pharmacy technicians will play a role in assisted dying if passed, but healthcare professionals will be under “no obligation” to take part.

‘Go back to the drawing board’ over pharmacy budget relief, MPs urge

 
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MPs have urged the government to “go back to the drawing board” and “invest” in community pharmacies as concerns grow about the upcoming hike in employer National Insurance Contributions.


Pharmacist MP makes maiden parliamentary speech

 
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Labour MP Sadik Al-Hassan has voiced concerns about the “decline of community pharmacies” in his first parliamentary speech.

Minimum wage to rise 6.7% as National Insurance hike confirmed

 
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The national living wage will increase by 6.7% to £12.21 an hour from April next year, the Chancellor has confirmed in her first budget.

National Insurance rise would be ‘kick in the teeth’ for pharmacy, NPA warns

 
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The NPA has urged the government to include pharmacies in “any support” given to the NHS after media reports have suggested today’s budget will include a rise in employers’ National Insurance (NI).


HSCC to do ‘all it can’ to stop NHS consultation being ‘great big piece of nonsense’

 
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A new health and social care committee (HSCC) member has stressed that the committee will ensure the government’s months-long NHS consultation makes “some proper changes” amid concerns that it will just result in “more and more paperwork”.

Pharmacy minister gets flu jab on ‘first visit’ to community pharmacy

 
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Stephen Kinnock has visited a community pharmacy for the “first” time since his appointment as pharmacy minister in July to “better understand the challenges” facing the sector.

Kinnock: ‘Pharmacies are private businesses’ and closures ‘reflect many factors’

 
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The pharmacy minister has told MPs that community pharmacies’ “decisions to close reflect many factors” amid concerns about the declining numbers in the sector.


NHS consultation ideas: ‘National’ pharmacy, NHS bulk-buying and 111 pharmacists

 
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Just days after the government issued a “rallying cry” for ideas to save the NHS, it has been flooded with proposals for the pharmacy sector…

Kinnock: Pharmacy reimbursement 'does not aim' to repay ‘as much’ as drugs cost

 
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The pharmacy minister has said that government drug reimbursement does not aim to price match “every product” dispensed by pharmacists but rather “aims overall to reimburse” pharmacies.