Negotiation Updates

30th March – C-19 LFD service: commissioning continues through 2026/27
The Lateral flow device tests supply service to continue to be commissioned as an Advanced service through 2026/27, with a fee increase to reflect inflationary pressures.

27th March CPCF 2026/27: Ongoing negotiations mean no immediate changes
Negotiations on the CPCF arrangements for 2026/27 are still in progress between Community Pharmacy England, DHSC and NHS England. Whilst all parties have been working hard on the negotiations, it is clear that they will not reach a conclusion before the start of the financial year on 1st April.

26th March – Racist, hostile, verbal and physical abuse of pharmacy teams now a regular occurrence
Regular occurrences of abuse against community pharmacy teams are making their working life increasingly difficult, and at times dangerous, new research from Community Pharmacy England demonstrates.

26th March – Data That Drives Change
A new blog explains how your experiences are transformed into “undeniable evidence” to influence national decision-makers.

27th February – Negotiations on 2026/27 Contractual Framework commence
DHSC has entered consultation with Community Pharmacy England on the 2026/27 CPCF. Detailed discussions begin immediately and will cover funding, service changes and other arrangements for pharmacies in 2026/27, as well as presenting an opportunity to consider longer term plans for the sector.

27th February – Clamping down on inappropriate EPS nomination and service direction
Community Pharmacy England takes steps to tackle inappropriate EPS pharmacy nomination practices and service direction, which contravene the principles of patient choice.

20th February – Refining negotiating asks and preparing for the year ahead at February meeting
Committee Members examine 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.

12th February – Pharmacy Pressures Survey 2026: Your responses help secure our future
Community Pharmacy England has launched its fifth annual Pharmacy Pressures Survey. With critical CPCF negotiations expected to begin soon, securing immediate investment and easing pressures on community pharmacies remains our number one priority. Taking part in the survey helps support that work.

4th February – Lords warn medicine shortages now a national security risk
Community Pharmacy England welcomes the Lords Committee spotlight on medicines shortages and urges Government and the NHS to act now, calling for further discussions with DHSC to deliver the changes patients and pharmacies urgently need.

3rd February – Category H: guidance and support for pharmacy owners
Community Pharmacy England shares Category H guidance and support for pharmacy owners ahead of webinar.

29th January – Pharmacies’ vital dispensing role under threat without urgent action
Statement in response to a CCA report highlighting the vital but underappreciated role of community pharmacy dispensing, stating that Community Pharmacy England will continue to use this evidence to press the Government for meaningful action.

28th January – Pharmacies deserve better – end the unfair disparity in business rates relief
Statement on business rates disparity, reiterating that closing the funding gap is the Committee’s top priority in CPCF negotiations, with issues and evidence such as this being included in those discussions.

28th January – From Crisis to Recovery: CPE joins forces with primary care bodies to fight for a secure financial future
Community Pharmacy England joined with the British Dental Association, British Medical Association, Optometric Fees Negotiating Committee and the Association for Primary Care Audiology Providers, to host the “From Crisis to Recovery” The Future of Primary Care parliamentary event.

23rd January – CPE pushes Minister for roadmap to recovery ahead of make-or-break negotiations
Community Pharmacy England warns the Government that pharmacies are entering 2026 “in real economic peril” and need an urgent recovery plan.

14th January – Pharmacy Pressures: why your voice matters in 2026
A new blog explains how every response to our surveys and polls feeds directly into Community Pharmacy England’s 2026/27 CPCF negotiations priorities and helps us build the evidence needed to push for meaningful improvements.

23rd December – Chief Executive’s Blog: A year of intense pressures
Community Pharmacy England is preparing intensively for the next round of CPCF negotiations. Closing the funding gap and reducing the financial and operational strain remains the Committee’s top priority.

23rd December – Introduction of new Drug Tariff Part VIIIA Category: Category H
From March 2026, a new Category will be introduced to Part VIIIA of the Drug Tariff as part of a series of drug reimbursement reforms previously proposed by DHSC. Community Pharmacy England has objected to its introduction.

19th December – Pharmacies hanging on by a thread on busiest day of the year
Community Pharmacy England highlights how the incredibly busy pre-Christmas season is being compounded this year by a troubling flu season, resident doctor strikes, and severe financial pressures.

5th December – LPC Conference plans pharmacy’s path in NHS transformation
Local pharmacy leaders from across the country meet to discuss critical issues and consider ways to secure community pharmacy’s place in plans to develop the health service.

1st December – Upcoming CPCF negotiations the focus at November meeting
Community Pharmacy England Committee Members consider preparations for the next round of CPCF negotiations and other important matters.

26th November – Chancellor delivers Budget speech
In response to the Budget, Community Pharmacy England raises concerns about the impact of some of the changes which could prove particularly challenging for a sector already facing serious financial pressures.

25th November – New report sets out opportunity to make community pharmacies cornerstone of neighbourhood health
The next decade offers an unprecedented opportunity to transform community pharmacy into a cornerstone of the Government’s Neighbourhood Health Service, says a report commissioned by Community Pharmacy England.

21st November – Integration, localism and prevention key to building a future-fit NHS
Politicians and policy experts cite integration, localism and prevention as some of the core components required to build a future-fit NHS.

20th November – Underinvestment threatening patient access to pharmacy, Health APPG hears
Underinvestment in the sector is continuing to threaten the accessibility of community pharmacies to patients and the public, Community Pharmacy England tells a Parliamentary inquiry.

12th November – Advance Payments Update: Payments now include Flu and Covid-19 activity
From this month, several NHS services are now being paid on the same date as the early Advance payment for dispensed prescriptions

11th November – Morale at breaking point as pharmacy staffing crisis deepens
Community pharmacies across England are facing intense and unsustainable pressure, with morale at breaking point and patient care increasingly at risk, according to Community Pharmacy England’s Staffing and Morale report.

7th November – Reimbursement pressures and lack of flexibility in dispensing is exacerbating medicines supply issues, warns Community Pharmacy England
Pharmacies’ ability to manage medicines shortages is constrained by cashflow and reimbursement pressures, with reforms sorely needed, Community Pharmacy England tells a Parliamentary inquiry.

23rd October – Community Pharmacy England publishes draft response to pharmacist flexibilities consultation
Pharmacist flexibilities “should be the norm”, Community Pharmacy England says in a draft response to Government proposals.

15th October – Pharmacy Show hears about work to drive better outcomes for sector
With negotiations on the 2026/27 Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF) expected to begin soon, Community Pharmacy England CEO Janet Morrison gives an important sector update at this week’s Pharmacy Show.

10th October – Negotiating strategy central to September Committee Meeting
Community Pharmacy England Members review strategy and tactics for upcoming CPCF negotiations and building on the critical work undertaken since the 2025/26 funding negotiations.

7th October – 2025/26 Foundation Trainee Pharmacist funding increase
NHS England announces that the level of funding for each site employing a foundation trainee pharmacist starting in the 2025/26 training year (Summer and Autumn start windows) will increase to £27,295 per trainee.

1st October – Minister leads panel at Community Pharmacy England event
Minister of State for Care, Stephen Kinnock MP, takes part in a Community Pharmacy England-led panel event to discuss building a future-fit NHS, at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool.

30th September – October 2025 Category M prices announced
Community Pharmacy England estimates there will be an overall reduction in reimbursement on like-for-like Category M medicines of approximately -£77m per quarter.

29th September – Update from our CEO: Influencing for the future
“Advocacy work is continuing to ensure pharmacy’s value, potential and needs are factored into healthcare policy discussions at the highest levels,” writes Community Pharmacy England Chief Executive Janet Morrison in a new blog.

29th September – Community Pharmacy England expands research and LPC support capacity with new roles
New positions created at Community Pharmacy England to increase our capacity for in-depth research and for LPC support, both of which are critical as we work to secure a sustainable future for community pharmacy.

23rd September – DSPs: Service changes from 1st October 2025
Distance selling premises (DSP) pharmacies no longer be able to provide Directed services (Advanced, National Enhanced and Enhanced Services) face-to-face with patients at the pharmacy premises from 1st October 2025.

10th September – MPs get latest local pharmacy data at Parliamentary event
Community Pharmacy England meets with MPs and Parliamentary staff at the Houses of Parliament to discuss the opportunities and challenges for the future of community pharmacy.

27th August – Pharmacy owners subsidising NHS services, Pressures Survey shows
Community Pharmacy England releases a national report highlighting how pharmacy owners across England are dipping into personal savings to support their businesses, effectively subsidising the provision of NHS services.

27th August – Update from our CEO: the next CPCF
“While implementation of the 2025/26 CPCF continues at pace, our sights are also set on the future,” writes Community Pharmacy England Chief Executive Janet Morrison in a new blog.

8th August – Improved price concessions for July 2025
Following representations made by Community Pharmacy England on behalf of community pharmacy owners, DHSC redetermines a number of July 2025 concessionary prices.

8th August – Sector workshop findings to inform Committee discussions
Opinions from pharmacy owners and LPCs across the country are compiled, alongside inputs from national pharmacy organisations and results from ongoing sector polling, to inform negotiating priorities for 2026/27.

23rd July – Children’s Flu Vac Advanced service to be launched in October
Following negotiations with NHS England, we agreed to the introduction of a one-season trial of a new flu vaccination service for children aged 2-3 years.

17th July – Our response to draft supervision legislation
We respond to DHSC release of new proposals and draft legislation to improve access to pharmacy services as part of its 10-Year Health Plan.

16th July – Policy groups discuss value of investing in pharmacy, following 10-Year Health Plan
Community Pharmacy England hosts a high-level policy discussion in Westminster on the value and potential of investing in community pharmacy, following publication of the 10-Year Health Plan.

4th July – Environment Agency drops proposed charge for T28 registration
The Environment Agency indicates our efforts to stop an increase in charges for community pharmacies have been successful.

3rd July – 10-Year Plan: Community pharmacies to play vital role in LTC support and vaccine delivery
A plan to reform the health service – which includes a bigger role for community pharmacies – is published by the Government.

30th June – Medicines supply issues ‘distressing new normal’, Pressures Survey confirms
Our Medicines Supply Report shows how pharmacies and patients are paying the price in a system that seems stuck at breaking point.

30th June – July 2025 Category M prices announced
The July 2025 Category M pricelist shows a £35 million per quarter reduction in reimbursement for Category M medicines, despite strong arguments from Community Pharmacy England for no reduction.

27th June – Advance notice: Updated Pharmacy First clinical pathways and PGDs
Following a review informed by Community Pharmacy England, draft updates to the Pharmacy First clinical pathways and PGDs are published which include revised Gateway points aimed at better reflecting pharmacist consultations.

27th June – CPCF changes and future planning the focus of June Committee Meeting
Community Pharmacy England meets in Liverpool, with Members considering the current political context and pressures exerting on the sector, as well as implementation of the agreed changes to the CPCF.

26th June – Category A price-setting arrangements from July 2025
From July 2025, Category A reimbursement prices will be based on data from suppliers obtained under the Health Service Products (Provision and Disclosure of Information) Regulations 2018.

23rd June – Strengthening our voice: LPC Chairs and MPs meet to discuss future of pharmacy
LPC Chairs and Community Pharmacy England meet with MPs to discuss the value that pharmacies bring to local communities, as well as ways to address the continued pressures facing the sector.

23rd June – New application route to rearrange core opening hours
The new application route for rearranging core opening hours comes into force.

12th June – DMS: Shortened claim journey on MYS from July 2025
Following feedback from Community Pharmacy England about the current lengthy claim process, NHS England and NHSBSA agree to introduce a shortened process for making claims for the Discharge Medicines Service (DMS).

11th June – Government announces Spending Review Outcome
Chancellor Rachel Reeves announces the Government’s new spending priorities, including a 3% real terms uplift to NHS funding.

2nd June – DSP market entry to close plus core opening hours and other regulatory changes
Important regulatory changes to the community pharmacy sector – including those on distance selling premises (DSP) pharmacies and core opening hours – are laid before Parliament to come into force on 23 June 2025.

1st June – Pharmacy First: Summary of changes from 1st June 2025
Several changes take effect for the Pharmacy First service following the announcement of these as part of the contractual settlement for 2025/26.

20th May – Call to expand pharmacy respiratory services to help tackle winter health pressures
We join forces with the Taskforce for Lung Health to call for pharmacies to be given a bigger role in supporting lung health to improve respiratory health outcomes, enhance access to care, and ease winter pressures on the NHS.

19th May – LFD service: Changes to patient cohort eligibility
Changes in the NICE guidance mean changes in the patient cohorts eligible to receive free LFD tests through the Lateral Flow Device (LFD) service.

16th May – CPCF support and next strategic steps focus at May Committee Meeting
Committee Members review the ongoing work to support implementation of the CPCF settlement, alongside strategic work to bolster the sector’s position ahead of future negotiations.

30th April – Government announces the next steps for Hub and Spoke dispensing
The Government has lays amendments to the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 (HMR) in Parliament as the next step towards Hub and Spoke dispensing for community pharmacies.

30th April – Health Stakeholders briefed on community pharmacy funding settlement
Community Pharmacy England meets with health stakeholders to brief them on the impact of the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework settlement for 2024/25 and 2025/26 on patients and the pharmacy sector.

16th April – Uplift to advanced payments for April and May 2025
In discussions with DHSC, Community Pharmacy England agrees a mechanism to allow pharmacy owners to receive the 19p Single Activity Fee (SAF) increase sooner for dispensing months of April 2025 and May 2025.

9th April – MPs briefed on community pharmacy funding settlement
Community Pharmacy England CEO Janet Morrison and Steve Race MP, Chair of the APPG for Pharmacy, host a Parliamentary event on the pharmacy funding settlement for 2024/25 and 2025/26.

7th April – Contract changes: clinical services to be included in advance payments
DHSC agrees to allow advance payments for clinical services, following pressure from Community Pharmacy England.

4th April – Contract changes: Summary of regulatory changes
We publish an article summarising key information on regulatory changes that has been released since the announcement of the contractual settlement for 2025/26.

31st March – CPCF arrangements for 2024/25 and 2025/26 announced
Funding and other arrangements for community pharmacies for 2024/25 and 2025/26 are finalised, with community pharmacy receiving the largest uplift in funding across the whole of the NHS.

31st March – C-19 LFD service: commissioning continues through 2025/26
The Lateral flow device tests supply service for patients potentially eligible for COVID-19 treatments (LFD service) continue to be commissioned as an Advanced service through 2025/26.

12th March – Strong support for pharmacy at Parliamentary event
Community Pharmacy England meets with 50 MPs and parliamentary staff to discuss the vital healthcare role that pharmacies play in local communities and how the critical pressures on pharmacies are putting this at risk.

18th February – Independent Economic Review
Community Pharmacy England confirms that its Committee considered draft findings of the economic review at their Committee meeting in February, and will consider the final report once completed, as part of the ongoing negotiations.

17th February – Community Pharmacy England Clarification on Workplans
Community Pharmacy England reaffirms that all Committee Members are fully aware of the sector’s urgent need for funding and of the need to resolve negotiations as robustly and speedily as possible.

14th February – Negotiations, planning and governance focus at February Committee Meeting
The Committee spends a significant amount of time analysing and discussing the initial offer put to us and providing a mandate for the Negotiating Team on the key issues, priorities and red lines.

31st January – Reflections on Pharmacy First: One Year On
Community Pharmacy England once again applauds the amazing work that has been done by everyone in the sector to get the Pharmacy First service off the ground.

29th January – CPE and primary care professions host joint parliamentary event
We join with the British Dental Association, British Medical Association, Optometric Fees Negotiating Committee and the Association for Primary Care Audiology Providers, to host a ‘Future of Primary Care’ Parliamentary drop-in event.

29th January – Peers highlight critical issues for community pharmacies in Parliament
Community pharmacies receive strong backing in Parliament, with numerous Peers speaking out in support of the sector, recognising their vital role in community healthcare and raising the urgent funding challenges they face.

28th January – Government opens discussions with Community Pharmacy England over 25/26 funding contract
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) enters into consultation with Community Pharmacy England (CPE) regarding the 2024/25 and 2025/26 funding contractual framework.

10th January – Chief Executive’s Blog: January 2025
Our CEO shares her thoughts on the funding crisis, an update on the status of CPCF negotiations, and more on the fight for a sustainable future for community pharmacies.

10th January – Government supports measures to extend pharmacy services, but hesitant on funding overhaul
The Government responds to the Health Select Committee’s report into the state of community pharmacy, addressing each of the report’s recommendations to support the sector.

8th January – Parliamentarians continue to voice their support for pharmacies
MPs continue to highlight the serious challenges pharmacies face and to call for support for the sector.

23rd December – January 2025 Category M prices announced
The Drug Tariff Category M pricelist for January 2025 is published, reducing reimbursement prices, despite opposition from Community Pharmacy England.

20th December – Our response to the DHSC announcement on General Practice investment and changes for 2025/26
Community Pharmacy England responds to news of investment into, and changes for, General Practice for the financial year 2025/26.

19th December – Health Secretary pledges to take ‘enormous’ pharmacy pressures into account
Health Secretary Wes Streeting MP appears before the Health and Social Care Select Committee in Parliament to answer questions related to his brief.

18th December – MPs call for increased funding for community pharmacies
Twenty MPs from all three major parties take part in a parliamentary debate calling for government investment and support for community pharmacies.

6th December – MPs call for increased support for pharmacies, following autumn budget
In a debate in Parliament, MPs raise their concerns about the impact of the 2024 Budget on community pharmacies.

4th December – CPCF Negotiations Update: A message from our CEO
Our CEO gives a video update on the CPCF negotiations, addressing the prolonged pause that means the sector is still without an agreement for 2024/25.

4th December – Inject funding now to prevent collapse, CPE tells Ministers
Community Pharmacy England writes to Ministers urging them to provide immediate funding relief to community pharmacies and warns that without this, pharmacy closures will continue.

29th November – Budget to cost pharmacies £200 million without mitigation, pharmacy bodies warn
We joined with other national pharmacy bodies to write to the Health Secretary, urging the Government to shield community pharmacies from the planned increases in NI contributions and the National Living Wage.

13th November – Autumn Budget: Community Pharmacy England’s Push for Mitigations
Since the Autumn Budget, we have been working to ensure that the impact of the announced changes on community pharmacies is fully understood by Government.

13th November – Parliamentarians urge Government action to support community pharmacies in letter to Health Secretary
Supported by Community Pharmacy England, 20 parliamentarians sign a letter to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, calling for urgent government action to safeguard the future of community pharmacies.

29th October – Pharmacies in England provide nearly 70 million unfunded consultations a year
More than 1.3 million unfunded consultations a week – or just over 69 million a year – are now being carried out by community pharmacy teams in England, according to our 2024 Pharmacy Advice Audit.

19th October – Critical staffing pressures in Community Pharmacies hitting patients
Pharmacy owners and team members across England paint a vivid picture of the severe consequences caused by staffing shortages, underfunding, and escalating workload pressures in community pharmacies.

14th October – Pharmacy First: Further changes to monthly targets
Ministers decide to amend the Pharmacy First thresholds for the rest of the year, in light of the concerns that we have raised.

30th September – Change to October Pharmacy First monthly threshold
Ministers decide to reduce the October threshold for the Pharmacy First service to 20, in light of the concerns that we have raised.

23rd September – Pharmacy Minister speaks at Community Pharmacy England event
We were delighted that the panel of speakers at our Labour Party Conference event (in partnership with Reform think tank) included the Pharmacy Minister, Stephen Kinnock MP.

20th September – CPCF and Spending Review outlook discussed at September Committee Meeting
The Committee reviews early engagement with the new Government, alongside the outlook for the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF) negotiations for 2024/25.

12th September – MPs back pharmacies at Parliamentary drop-in event
We met with 45 MPs and parliamentary staff at the Houses of Parliament to discuss the critical pressures on community pharmacies and their important role in local healthcare.

4th September – Community Pharmacy England sets out position to Ministerial Team
Our CEO meets with Minister of State for Care Stephen Kinnock. During the meeting we underline the urgent need for a funding uplift, as well as outlining pharmacies’ potential to do more to support the health of local communities.

25th August – Nearly a sixth of pharmacies could close within a year, Pressures Survey indicate
We release a a national report confirming the severe financial pressures putting community pharmacies at risk of closure, threatening patient care and access to services across England.

30th July – Change to August Pharmacy First monthly threshold
Ministers decide to adjust the August threshold for the Pharmacy First service to 15 in the light of the concerns that we have raised.

26th July – CPCF Negotiations: Update in light of new Government
We provide an update on negotiations now that the new Government is in place, which explains that discussions are not expected to resume before September.

19th July – Approach with new Government and strategic planning considered at June Committee Meeting
The Committee reconsiders the immediate priorities for the new Government, alongside wider strategic planning, when members meet in Birmingham.

2nd July – Pharmacy First Update: A message from our CEO
Our CEO gives a video update on Pharmacy First, addressing some of the concerns that pharmacy owners have, particularly around the thresholds for monthly payments.

17th June – Chief Executive’s Blog: June 2024
Half-way through the general election campaign, our CEO reflects on preparations for the next Government.

3rd June – CPCF negotiations during the election period
We issue a clarification on the 2024/25 Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF) negotiations.

21st May – Peers briefed on 2024 Pharmacy Pressures
Community Pharmacy England briefs Peers on the severe challenges facing community pharmacies, including the findings of the 2024 Pressures Survey.

9th May – Medicines supply issues are a daily battle, Pressures Survey confirms

We release a national report confirming the severe impact of the worsening medicines supply situation on patients and community pharmacies across England.

22nd April – Intolerable pressures on pharmacy owners and current negotiations discussed at April Committee Meeting

Our Committee discusses critical matters such as the severity of pressures on the sector, ongoing CPCF negotiations, implementation of Pharmacy First, and governance matters at their April meeting.

8th April – MPs demand more support for pharmacies from Minister
In a letter we coordinated, MPs from across the political spectrum call on the Health Secretary to address the acute funding crisis facing community pharmacies.

28th March – Chief Executive’s Blog: April 2024
Our CEO reflects on what comes after the five-year CPCF deal ends.

28th March – Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework: Negotiations for 2024/25
We clarify that, until the 2024/25 CPCF negotiations have concluded, fee levels will remain the same and existing service arrangements will continue as previously announced.

28th March – Community Pharmacy England writes to Select Committee Chair
Our Chief Executive Janet Morrison contacts the chair of the Health and Social Care Committee Steve Brine MP following the Committee’s latest pharmacy inquiry session.

28th March – Government imposes Drug Tariff changes to manage margin
DHSC announces it will impose changes to their approach to concessions pricing in the April Drug Tariff.

13th March – MPs back pharmacy at Pharmacy First showcase event
Community Pharmacy England and other national pharmacy bodies brief 25 Parliamentarians and their teams about the new Pharmacy First service at an event in the Houses of Parliament.

11th March – Top-up system for concession prices to be introduced from April 2024
A retrospective top-up payment system for price concession lines is announced as starting from April 2024.

8th March – Changes to Category A price setting process
DHSC announces it will impose new arrangements for the setting of Drug Tariff Category A reimbursement prices from April 2024.

6th March – Spring budget sets out NHS plans but brings no sign of relief for pharmacies
The Chancellor announces his Spring Budget, but it contains no relief for community pharmacies. Our ramped up influencing activities are continue ahead of this year’s likely General Election.

29th February – DHSC imposes Flat Fee removal from March 2024
DHSC announces it will impose a Flat Fee cut on pharmacy owners for March 2024.

23rd February – Negotiations on 2024/25 Contractual Framework Commence
Formal tripartite negotiations on the arrangements for the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF) in 2024/25 – the first year following the five-year CPCF deal – begin.

19th February – Medicines supply will fail if pharmacies cannot keep lights on, warns Community Pharmacy England
At a Health Committee evidence session, we warn that patients will continue to face problems accessing medicines unless Government eases supply problems and resolves the critical financial state of pharmacies.

15th February – Conservative MPs briefed on prevention role for sector
We brief Conservative MPs on the unlocked potential of community pharmacies to help with prevention and tackling the burden of long-term conditions, if the pressures on the sector are eased.

6th February – Margin, pressures, upcoming negotiations and governance on Community Pharmacy England January Agenda
Our Committee focusses on the upcoming CPCF negotiations, margin, and strategy at their January meeting.

16th January – Chief Executive’s Blog: January 2024
Our CEO provides an update on the negotiations for what the CPCF will look like after April 2024.