Listening, influencing and representing: CPE’s autumn focus
Blog from Zoe Long, Director of Communications, Corporate and Public Affairs
Political party conference season is one of the busiest periods in the policy calendar, and for Community Pharmacy England this time of year is an important chance to do two things at once: influence on behalf of pharmacy owners and stay closely connected to those we represent.
This autumn, we are engaging both externally with politicians, advisers and NHS stakeholders, and directly with pharmacy owners across the sector. At political party conferences, we are making the case for a sustainable future for community pharmacy. At The Pharmacy Show, we will be listening to owners’ experiences, discussing current challenges and priorities, and ensuring our influencing work continues to reflect the realities of running pharmacy businesses today.
Our message will be clear: pharmacy owners want to do more for patients and communities, but the network needs a sustainable funding and operating environment if it is to play the role that patients, the NHS and policymakers increasingly expect of it. Conference season provides an opportunity to make that case directly to people who can influence future decisions.
Just as importantly, we will also be spending time with pharmacy owners and sector colleagues at The Pharmacy Show. Members of the CPE team will be available to speak with owners, answer questions and share updates on our current work. The Show will also give us a platform to contribute to sector discussions on the issues that matter most to owners, including funding, services, commissioning, public health, neighbourhood care and the future direction of community pharmacy. It should also give pharmacy owners a clear sense of how we are using the party conferences to raise those issues with politicians and policy influencers.
Effective representation depends on a continual cycle of listening and influencing. The conversations we have with pharmacy owners help shape our discussions with Government and the NHS, and our engagement with policymakers helps us bring back insight into the opportunities and challenges facing the sector. If you are attending The Pharmacy Show, please come and speak to us. We would welcome the opportunity to hear your views and discuss our current work.
Join us at the Pharmacy Show – register for free here
Our presence at The Pharmacy Show 2026
Community Pharmacy England will have a significant presence at this year’s Pharmacy Show on Sunday 11th and Monday 12th October 2026 at the NEC Birmingham. As the largest gathering for pharmacy professionals in the country, we are pleased to once again be participating in key panel discussions and running an exhibition stand.
Members of our team and some Committee Members will be available through the show. Here’s a round-up of where they will be:
STAND NUMBER: J75
Throughout the event, near the Public Health & Wellbeing Theatre
Executive Team, Committee Members and other staff from Community Pharmacy England
Sunday 11th October
Margins, profits and losses: navigating funding uncertainty
11:10–11:40 | Pharmacy Owners Forum
Mike Dent, Director of Pharmacy Funding
Emergency contraception rollout update
14:15–14:45 | Clinical Theatre
David Onuoha, Service Development Manager (one of several speakers)
The changing landscape: an update from Community Pharmacy England
15:15–15:45 | Keynote Theatre
Janet Morrison, Chief Executive Officer
Monday 12th October
The changing regulatory landscape for community pharmacy
10:15–10:45 | Business & Services Theatre
Gordon Hockey, Director, Legal
Opiate substitution therapy: new delivery models
10:15–10:45 | Public Health & Prevention Theatre
Vicki Roberts, Service Development Manager (one of several speakers)
Managing financial pressures in pharmacy
10:45-11:30 | Networking Zone
Mike Dent, Director of Pharmacy Funding (one of several speakers)
The future of commissioning within neighbourhood health (panel discussion)
10:50–11:35 | Keynote Theatre
James Wood, Director of Member & LPC Support (Chairing)
How can neighbourhood health reduce health inequalities (panel discussion)
11:00–11:45 | Public Health & Prevention Theatre
Vicki Roberts, Service Development Manager (one of several speakers)
Progressing contraceptive care: a LARC implant service pilot
11:15–11:45 | Clinical Theatre
Rebecca Butterworth, LPC Engagement and Support Manager (Chairing)
From strategy to reality: the NHS 10 Year Plan one year on (panel discussion)
13:20–14:00 | Keynote Theatre
Alastair Buxton, Director of NHS Services (one of several speakers)
We look forward to seeing you there – get your free ticket today.
Please note, the Pharmacy Show is not an event run by Community Pharmacy England, but it is an important event in the sector calendar that we are participating in.
