New regulations to support prescribing, closures for learning and other CPCF changes

A package of regulatory changes has been laid before Parliament to support implementation of prescribing within NHS pharmacy services, closures for learning and development and more from 1st October 2026.

The amendments are set out in The National Health Service (Pharmaceutical and Local Pharmaceutical Services) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2026 and reflect a number of changes agreed as part of the 2026/27 Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF) settlement.

Among the most significant changes for pharmacy owners are new conditions outlining the scenarios in which independent prescribers can prescribe as part of NHS services, and the introduction of provisions allowing pharmacies to close for up to four hours each month for learning and development activities, subject to certain conditions.

The regulations also formalise the requirement for patients to provide explicit consent before a patient’s nomination is changed on their NHS record and, from January 2027, will introduce a requirement for professional staff and locums (pharmacists and pharmacy technicians) to hold an enhanced DBS certificate.

Community Pharmacy England successfully pushed for closures to support staff training and ensuring patient consent for EPS nomination changes to give the sector parity with other parts of the NHS. Other changes – such as conditions for prescribing and the DBS checks – put the sector in good standing by establishing professionally responsible practice.

What are the key changes?

• Independent prescribing conditions: arrangements for prescribing within NHS pharmacy services
• Closures for learning and development
• Explicit patient consent for nomination and other changes to the NHS Personal Demographics Service (PDS)
• Updates to local dispute resolution processes and minor market entry changes
• Enhanced DBS certificate requirement (from 1st January 2027)

 See the CPE briefing on the September PLPS Regulations changes.

Gordon Hockey, Director, Legal at Community Pharmacy England, said:

“These regulatory changes underpin several important measures agreed in the 2026/27 CPCF settlement. In particular, they provide the legal framework for pharmacist prescribing as part of NHS pharmacy services and introduce the option of closures for learning and development, helping pharmacy teams further develop their skills.”