Concession numbers still going up, warns CPE

Community Pharmacy England has negotiated a record 257 price concessions for June, making this the fourth consecutive month of record highs.

Community Pharmacy England continues to raise the impact of low Drug Tariff prices and dispensing at a loss by pharmacy owners, and the need for margin reforms, at Ministerial level. Committee Members also discussed the issue in detail at their June meeting last week.

Behind the growing number of concessions, our team continues to receive thousands of reports from pharmacy owners each month about the medicines they cannot obtain at Tariff prices. These reports provide vital evidence and help us build the case for improved prices.

Thank you to everyone who has been submitting evidence and reports of pricing pressures; please continue to do so. Reporting products priced above the Drug Tariff using the online form supports our representations to DHSC and detailed negotiations aimed at securing concessions for affected products. This evidence also strengthens our wider call for reforms to pharmacy reimbursement.

Community Pharmacy England has warned Government that the medicines supply and pricing situation is worsening and needs urgent attention. Further proof of this will be set out shortly when findings from the Pharmacy Pressures Survey 2026 are released. CPE will use the results to highlight the systemic pressures, including the daily medicines supply issues faced by community pharmacies.

As work continues with DHSC on the contract reform programme agreed as part of the 2026/27 CPCF settlement, one immediate priority must be a more effective medicines margin framework. In the longer term, there must also be a fundamental review of the current reimbursement model and possible alternatives.

James Davies, Director of Research and Insights at Community Pharmacy England, said:

“Four consecutive months of record price concessions point to a medicines pricing system under sustained pressure. Pharmacy owners tell us month after month that they are having to spend significant time and personal money sourcing medicines above Drug Tariff prices, impacting their ability to provide patient care. The unrelenting price increases are creating serious cashflow challenges at a time when the sector is already under strain. Their reports are vital evidence for our negotiations with DHSC, and we will continue to press for improved medicines pricing, better margin arrangements and a reimbursement model that better reflects the realities facing community pharmacies.”