Pharmacy must be properly funded to help deliver NHS ambitions, politicians hear

Community Pharmacy England urges policymakers to provide a strong national framework and sustainable funding for community pharmacy at a meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Pharmacy yesterday.

At the meeting of Parliamentarians, Government officials and pharmacy leaders, Chief Executive Janet Morrison highlighted the important role pharmacies can play in supporting the ambitions of the NHS 10 Year Health Plan, particularly the shift towards neighbourhood health services and care closer to home. Janet said community pharmacy has the capacity to do significantly more clinically, building on existing services and making greater use of pharmacists’ expertise.

Central to Janet’s message was the need for “a strong national framework, but with flexibility for local innovation to meet population needs”. Arguing that pharmacies are well placed to help improve access to care and support patients in their communities, Janet said this must be backed up with the resources and support needed to expand their role.

However, longstanding financial pressures continue to threaten the sector’s ability to invest and innovate. Janet told attendees that community pharmacy remains “unclear about the direction of travel” and stressed that “core funding must be available if pharmacies are to invest in staffing, premises and training”. Janet also highlighted findings from Community Pharmacy England’s Pressure Survey, which shows pharmacies remain financially challenged.

Community Pharmacy England’s concerns were echoed throughout the discussion, with speakers broadly agreeing that community pharmacy has substantial untapped potential but that financial stability, workforce development, commissioning arrangements and better integration with the wider NHS must be addressed first. Participants also highlighted the importance of integrating pharmacies into neighbourhood health models, referral pathways and digital systems.

The discussion explored opportunities to build on successful services already being delivered by pharmacies, including Pharmacy First, vaccination programmes, medicines optimisation and prescribing. Comparisons were also made with Scotland’s broader Pharmacy First offer and international models such as Canada, where pharmacists have wider prescribing and substitution responsibilities. Participants noted that growing these services would require both greater public awareness of pharmacists’ capabilities and stronger collaboration across the healthcare system.

Meanwhile, Peter Lilford, Deputy Director, Pharmacy, Eye Care & Controlled Drugs at the Department of Health and Social Care, expressed optimism about the NHS 10 Year Health Plan and highlighted ongoing work with Community Pharmacy England. He also confirmed that Ministers are being briefed ahead of discussions on the next Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework.

Janet Morrison, Chief Executive of Community Pharmacy England, said:

“Community pharmacy is the obvious partner to help Government deliver the ambitions of the 10 Year Health Plan and shift more care into our communities. Convenient and accessible health advice plus speedy service rollouts such as Pharmacy First and MenB vaccinations – pharmacy teams have an incredible track record on providing essential healthcare support for patients. Building on these services is a no-brainer.

But sustained financial and operational pressures are damaging the viability of the sector, so it is crucial that community pharmacy has a stable and sustainable future is to continue delivering for patients. Ultimately primary care needs to evolve, and community pharmacy has an important role to play in that – but we must ensure they are appropriately resourced to do so.”