Chief Executive’s Blog: Preparing for the future

By Chief Executive Janet Morrison

As the summer draws to a close, everyone in community pharmacy and the wider health service will be preparing, or perhaps more aptly bracing, themselves for what will undoubtedly be another frantic autumn and winter period.

For community pharmacy, the announcement of the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF) arrangements for 2024/25 and 2025/26 in the spring was a major milestone. The first CPCF announced under the new Labour Government, it signalled an end to the trend of ever-decreasing funding in real terms. But as we knew, the work was only just beginning.

The work to implement the announced changes – from service developments to new funding arrangements – is wide-ranging, and we have been pleased to see many of you taking part in webinars and making use of other guidance and resources. We continue to meet with DHSC and NHS England colleagues almost weekly to monitor progress. You can read more about details of and updates on implementing the settlement here.

And while implementation continues at pace, our sights are also set on the future. The funding uplift, while substantive and welcome, was only a first step towards stabilisation and economic sustainability. Pharmacy businesses of all shapes and sizes are continuing to struggle to balance their books and to deliver high quality care under the weight of the ongoing operational challenges. Earlier in the year 45% of pharmacy owners reported they had used personal savings to support their business in the 2025 Pharmacy Pressures Survey, and even after the funding settlement just 9% say the threats to their business are now manageable. We have heard the same from many of you about this directly at our summer regional roadshows, which have helped to shape our thinking.

All of this is very much at the front of our minds as we prepare for the next round of CPCF negotiations. We have once again invested in authoritative economic projects and data analysis to build the strongest possible evidence base that reflects both the realities of pharmacy operations and the value pharmacy teams are consistently delivering. And we have been developing new, compelling policy thinking following the publication of the Ten-Year Health Plan. We have continued to raise awareness of the financial crisis that pharmacies are facing and we have been preparing a programme of Parliamentary events for September and October to once again underline to Government how much community pharmacy matters, and what you need.

We have also been listening to you at our in-person events, and you can tell us what you think once again via our polling, which there is still time to take part in. This is your opportunity to directly influence our priorities and the case we take forward in negotiations. Whether your focus is on funding, workforce, service design, digital integration, or something else – your views will help shape the future direction of community pharmacy in England.

Thank you for your continued commitment, resilience, and engagement. Together, we are not only navigating the challenges of today – we are making the case for change and carving out a better future for community pharmacy.