Reflections from the Committee: My First Year as a CPE Independent Representative

By Dervis Gurol | National Independent Representative, Community Pharmacy England

1. Taking the Leap

Back in 2025, when Community Pharmacy England (CPE) announced a call for an independent representative following a rebalancing of seats, I found myself repeatedly checking the notice. The prospect of stepping into that space was intriguing, but I hesitated. Serving on a national committee is a massive responsibility, and I wanted to be certain I could dedicate the necessary time, focus, and energy. After a few days of quiet consideration, I made up my mind: I was ready to commit.

I submitted my application, and shortly after, received an invitation to interview. Despite years of experience in the sector, I approached that panel interview like it was the most important job application of my life. The one-hour discussion with three committee members was thorough and rigorous. I may have over-prepared, but my philosophy has always been simple: prepare relentlessly, respect the process, and give it your absolute best.

2. Stepping Into the Crucible

Nothing quite prepares you for the sheer volume of work that follows co-option. Suddenly, my inbox was filled with endless streams of emails, briefings, and scheduling notes with the executive and support teams. Within a week, I was attending my very first CPE meeting.

Facing hundreds of pages of complex policy documents, data sets, and legal frameworks to read, digest, and feed back on—all ahead of two dense days of meetings—was a true eye-opener. There is a common misconception across the sector that representatives simply turn up to meetings, chat, and vote. The reality is far more demanding. The week leading up to a CPE meeting is virtually consumed by reading, dissecting evidence, and holding internal pre-meetings with fellow committee members to align our points and debate key details before we ever set foot in the CPE offices.

Another myth I quickly saw dispelled was the idea that CPE is a divided, factional organisation. From the outside, people often assume that representatives stick strictly to their corners. In reality, whether you are an Independent Representative, or representing the IPA, CCA, or NPA, everyone leaves their personal badge at the door. There is a deeply unified ethos: we are all working collectively toward one singular goal—securing the absolute best possible outcomes for pharmacy contractors.

3. The 2026 Negotiation Period: Stress, Strategy, and Sector-Wide Reality

As I began to settle into the rhythm of committee work, 2026 brought my first full negotiation period. It was a true baptism of fire.

For six to eight weeks, life became an intense blur of subcommittee work, late-night sessions—often stretching past 10:00 pm—and non-stop exchanges between the executive team and representatives. Carving out the time from our daily lives and primary businesses to analyze hundreds of pages of dynamic, changing documents was deeply exhausting.

Crucially, this period reframed how I view sector representation. While my title is Independent Representative, you quickly realize you cannot make decisions in a vacuum or think solely about independent pharmacies. The sector is an interconnected ecosystem—roughly 50% independent and 50% medium and large chains. A healthy national network relies on every part surviving and thriving.

I have seen firsthand the devastating domino effect when a nearby pharmacy closes down: an immediate, overwhelming influx of displaced patients, immense operational pressure on surrounding pharmacies, and severe stress placed on pharmacy teams and patients alike. Every document we scrutinized and every feedback loop we shaped had to be weighed against the survival of the entire community pharmacy infrastructure.

4. A Uniquely Unpredictable Vote Day

After weeks of grueling deliberations, the final decision day arrived. Just as we thought the pressure couldn’t possibly mount any higher, we were dealt a major political curveball: mid-way through the day of our committee vote, the Secretary of State resigned.

The entire room was forced to pause and pivot. We spent several long, focused hours systematically deliberating every possible outcome and scenario resulting from our vote:

• Political Vacuum: How would accepting or rejecting the deal play out under an interim or newly appointed minister?
• Timing & Risk: What were the practical risks of delaying the decision versus moving forward immediately?
• Contractor Impact: How would each outcome directly affect cash flow, operational stability, and patient care on the ground?

After a long, exhausting day of rigorous analysis, the CPE Committee voted to accept the deal. The defining factor in that decision was securing the clear promise of fundamental, long-term reform within the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF).

5. Listening on the Ground: The National Road Shows

The announcement of the new CPCF agreement didn’t mark the end of the work—it marked the beginning of the next phase. The executive team and committee members embarked on a national series of Road Shows to hear directly from the frontline.

I personally attended events across Derbyshire, Birmingham, St Helens, London, and the South East. Being in those rooms offered an invaluable, unvarnished look into how different regions experience systemic pressure:

6. Final Thoughts

Stepping into this role has been one of the most challenging and deeply rewarding experiences of my professional life. It has taught me that sitting at the CPE table requires looking beyond local borders and seeing the complete picture. Every vote, every debate, and every document review must be carried out with a deep appreciation for the diverse realities that contractors face across every single corner of the country.