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Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) has announced that it has accepted a 6% pay uplift from the Scottish government, increasing the global sum by £13.2m.
This brings the global sum — the funding that allows for core services to be provided — for the country’s 1,243 pharmacies to £232.7m for 2024/2025.
The latest increase is larger than the £12.3m accepted in 2023/2024.
In a statement issued on 27 September 2024, CPS also confirmed that the guaranteed minimum for reimbursement for 2024/2025 had been set at £110m, up from £100m in 2023/2024.
The statement said: “This deal been long awaited and it has taken considerable effort on both sides of the negotiating table to reach a mutually acceptable solution.
“The CPS board was determined to land a deal which provides adequate conditions for stability in the network, regardless of the Scottish government’s current financial position.
“Whilst this relieves some pressure with respect to the growing business costs that pharmacy contractors have faced this year, these pressures are continual and remain a priority for future negotiations. Whilst the deal provides a period of stability, it will not support significant service development this year.
“We are hopeful for steps forward in this area in future years and look forward to engaging with our Scottish government colleagues on how this can be achieved to support the wider NHS.”
Matt Barclay, chief executive of CPS, added: “We are pleased to get the deal finalised and hope that this goes some way in alleviating pressures on the community pharmacy network.”
Jenni Minto, minister for public health and women’s health, said: “The vital work of community pharmacies is key in ensuring that we continue to reduce the burden across the NHS, and patients continue to get the necessary medicines they need to stay healthy.
“The Scottish government is matching the largest ever increase to the community pharmacy remuneration global sum, for the second year in a row. This £13.2m, 6% uplift — coupled with the rest of the settlement — will deliver a total of £422m in guaranteed funding for community pharmacies in Scotland.
“I am pleased our negotiations with CPS were held with the shared aim of putting financial arrangements in place that best support Scotland’s exemplary community pharmacy network, while balancing our financial obligations.”
Further details of the settlement are expected to be published in due course.
