Refining negotiating asks and preparing for the year ahead at February meeting
Community Pharmacy England met in London for a full Committee meeting on 4th and 5th February.
Committee Members examined economic and other analysis to confirm key negotiating positions for the imminent 2026/27 contractual negotiations, looking at a wide range of topics including funding needs, services, infrastructure investment, and regulatory reform.
The Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England have yet to begin formal 2026/27 CPCF negotiations with Community Pharmacy England, but we are continuing to prepare for the talks, including monitoring funding, strengthening our evidence base, and advocating for progress to be made urgently towards sustainability for the sector.
Committee discussions at the meeting also explored possible future options for contract reform and funding models, and considered Community Pharmacy England’s budget, workplan and priorities for the next financial year. The Committee heard and reflected on personal stories of patient abuse from our recent sector polling.
The 2026/27 workplan for Community Pharmacy England focusses on securing better funding, improving service delivery, and strengthening the future of the pharmacy network.
The top priority is negotiating a more sustainable CPCF – including improved margin delivery, fees, reimbursement – and shaping a multi‑year roadmap with DHSC and NHS England to give pharmacies clearer long‑term certainty. The workplan also places a strong emphasis on influencing government and building political backing, as well as helping LPCs strengthen commissioning opportunities and support neighbourhood‑team integration.
Community Pharmacy England Workplan for 2026/27
The Committee were joined by LPC leaders from the East and North Midlands region for part of the meeting. LPC attendees had the chance to talk with Committee members, observe subcommittee meetings, and provide feedback from their local pharmacy owners and localities.
Other discussions at Committee
Input into the Committee meeting from sector polling highlighted many personal stories of the persistent abuse that pharmacy teams are facing, which were of much concern to the Committee. Members discussed what could be done to raise awareness of the problem and to make sure pharmacy teams are properly supported when it does happen.
All subcommittees reported on progress across their workstreams. Specifically, the Funding and Contract Subcommittee considered the latest progress on active discussions on branded generics and accelerated payments; the Legislation and Regulatory Subcommittee members reflected on concerns raised about the shortening of the Pharmacy First claim window; the Service Development Subcommittee discussed ongoing work to support pharmacy engagement with local Neighbourhood Health pilot sites; and the LPC and Contractor Support Subcommittee finalised the approach for an upcoming review of the Transforming Pharmacy Representation (TAPR) programme.
Read more in the full meeting summary:
Briefing 003/26: Summary of February 2026 Committee Meeting
Commenting on the meeting, Janet Morrison, Chief Executive of Community Pharmacy England, said:
“The pressures on community pharmacies are critical, and the sector simply cannot bear more time without meaningful investment and reform. Our message to Government is clear: community pharmacies need immediate, sustainable investment.
“Committee Members have carefully reviewed the economic evidence and set strong, coherent positions on funding, services and the regulatory reforms needed to unlock capacity. We will continue to push for a contract that recognises the essential role pharmacies play in primary care, supports those who are struggling, and provides a long‑term pathway to sustainability and growth. We stand ready to begin negotiations as soon as Ministers issue the opening letter.”
