Government supports measures to extend pharmacy services, but hesitant on funding overhaul

The Government has today responded to the Health Select Committee’s report into the state of community pharmacy, addressing each of the report’s recommendations to support the sector.

In its response, the Government has reaffirmed its ambition to expand the role of pharmacies and to improve workforce planning, but it has not set out answers to the problem of medicines shortages or made any promises around funding.

The Committee’s recommendations to publish a long-term vision for the further development of clinical services in community pharmacies and to undertake greater planning in consideration of the full pharmacy workforce were accepted. The Government also committed to the ongoing promotion of Pharmacy First.

Pointing to the Darzi Review and an economic analysis currently underway and expected to report back soon, the Government acknowledged the challenges and complexity of the pharmacy funding model without offering solutions. A suggestion to re-introduce the establishment payment to support the development of consultation spaces was rejected.

The Government’s response to medicines shortages recommendations rejected the long called-for introduction of generic substitution. However, it did reference work being underway to assess flexibility to supply alternative doses or formulations and indicated that commissioning of an independent review into the medicines supply chain would be kept ‘under consideration’.

Community Pharmacy England has been briefing the new Government on critical topics such as those described in the Health Committee’s report since the General Election, and has repeatedly called for urgent action to be taken to address the funding crisis. We have been assured that CPCF negotiations will re-commence this month.

The Government’s response also revealed that:

• A National Institute for Health and Care Research evaluation study of Pharmacy First will review the effectiveness of GP minor illness referrals to community pharmacy;
• An evaluation of the Independent Prescriber Pathfinder Programme is expected in 2025;
• The Pharmacy Integration fund in 2024-25 is extending a successful Teach and Treat clinics pilot; and
• The feasibility of PrEP delivery via pharmacies is being piloted.

Read the Government response in full

Janet Morrison, Community Pharmacy England Chief Executive, said:

“It is useful to have finally had a response to the Health Select Committee’s inquiry. This sheds further light on the Government’s current thinking on critical topics for our sector.

Whilst there are some significant disappointments in the response – no new promises on funding and a rejection of generic substitution – it is more positive that the Government is at least partially accepting 17 out of the 19 recommendations.

As is to be expected, much is made of recent Government pledges for a 10-year health plan and updated NHS workforce plan. And we can see where the innovative nature of our sector, and all the work done to build support and recognition for pharmacies and their potential, has begun to gain a foothold – through clear support for promoting Pharmacy First, developing independent prescribers, and enhancing the data sharing capabilities across primary care.

We are keen to get going on many of these to deliver solutions for pharmacy, for patients and for primary care, at pace. But let’s be clear: these changes will come at a cost. Community pharmacies cannot take on the burden of the proposals to extend their services if the core funding issues aren’t fixed. This remains an urgent crisis which needs resolution.”