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Friday 4 November, 1:30pm
The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) has outlined its plans to respond to the government’s imposition of a funding cut to community pharmacy, including a potential legal challenge, but has advised against strike action. Read the full story.
See more of our coverage in our special report on the pharmacy funding cuts.
Wednesday 2 November, 4:20pm
MPs vote against the Opposition Motion on community pharmacy funding by 305 to 211.
MPs vote against the Opposition Motion on community pharmacies by 305 to 211 pic.twitter.com/tl8exdzqjr
— House of Commons (@HouseofCommons) November 2, 2016
Wednesday 2 November, 12:50pm
MPs debate the government’s proposed cuts to community pharmacy funding. Watch the debate live.
Wednesday 2 November, 12:30pm
NHS England has a lack of understanding of community, local pharmaceutical committees agreed at their annual conference. Read the full story.
Wednesday 2 November, 11:30am
Supporters of community pharmacy gather at Westminster to oppose the government’s proposed funding cuts.
It’s like herding cats #LPCConf
#pharmacycuts
pic.twitter.com/CGsB8yIJhg— Steve Mosley (@thatMosley) November 2, 2016
Pharmacists, @NPA1921, Labour MPs and supporters gather outside parliament to oppose the proposed pharmacy cuts pic.twitter.com/VtYr4zz5P6
— Training Matters (@TMmagazineUK) November 2, 2016
So now the @PSNCNews conference is marching to Westminster, here come the pharmacists! pic.twitter.com/E5X02HZjyi
— Tom Kallis (@TK_MPharm) November 2, 2016
Wednesday 2 November, 9:50am
MPs to stand with pharmacists on College Green, Westminster, against funding cuts that could see the closure of some community pharmacies.
MPs will be showing our solidarity with local community pharmacists facing closures, cuts & job losses at 1130 on College Green, Westminster
— Michael Dugher MP (@MichaelDugher) November 2, 2016
Wednesday 2 November, 8:20am
MPs to vote on community pharmacy funding cuts in House of Commons today. Watch the debate live at 12.50pm today.
We’ll be voting against Tory pharmacy cuts today in Commons. I’m talking to regional radio stations now asking people to lobby their Tory MP
— Jonathan Ashworth MP (@JonAshworth) November 2, 2016
Today MPs have the chance to stand up for community Pharmacies, to support better primary care & oppose £170m Tory cut & 1000’s closures
— Graham Jones MP (@GrahamJones_MP) November 2, 2016
Several Tory MPs voiced their concerns about Govt cuts to their local community pharmacies. Let’s see how many vote against the cuts today.
— Michael Dugher MP (@MichaelDugher) November 2, 2016
Tuesday 1 November, 2:45pm
Multiple offers law firm Charles Russell Speechlys funding for QC review of the government’s plans for community pharmacy.
We have offer from a multiple to fund obtaining a QC’s opinion on #pharmacycuts. Hope our unique expertise will add value to legal steps.
— David Reissner (@davidreissner) November 1, 2016
Tuesday 1 November, 2:25pm
The National Pharmacy Association plans to protest the government’s pharmacy funding cuts on 2 November, 12pm.
If you’re in London & free at 12pm tomorrow, please join our group to help us protest the govt’s plans for pharmacy: https://t.co/gTui6Jip8B
— NPA (@NPA1921) November 1, 2016
Thursday 27 October, 1:30pm
Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) Wales welcomes the Welsh Government’s commitment to funding community pharmacy.
In a statement following the announcement of the cuts, Vaughan Gething, cabinet secretary for health, well-being and sport, said: “Let me reassure you, the health and social services budget in Wales for the current and financial year does not include any proposals to reduce investment in community pharmacy”.
Suzanne Scott-Thomas, chair of RPS Wales, said: “This is a welcome intervention from the cabinet secretary at a time when pharmacists in Wales are concerned about funding reductions in England … The two year commitment to funding community pharmacy in Wales is a testament to excellent patient care that pharmacists are providing to patients and the public.” Read RPS Wales’ full response.
RPS Wales expect to hear more about Mr Gething’s future plans for community pharmacy in Wales when he speaks at the 6th RPS Wales medicines safety conference.
Thursday 27 October, 2:30pm
PSNC updates its webpage on funding changes for 2016/17 and 2017/18 and indicative income calculator, which now includes quality payments and an option for those eligible for the pharmacy access scheme.
The calculator “allows contractors to easily view an estimated income simply by entering the number of items dispensed per month”, says the PSNC.
Wednesday 26 October, 2:20pm
David Reissner, an expert in UK pharmacy and health law, encourages those opposed to the cuts to contribute to the cost of a QC review of the Department of Health’s decision.
Anyone intrestd in contrib to the cost of QC’s opinion #pharmacycuts shd email rachel.warren@crsblaw.com by 4pm Friday.
— David Reissner (@davidreissner) October 26, 2016
Wednesday 26 October, 1:00pm
Michael Dugher MP leads protest against the government’s cuts to community pharmacy funding.
Thanks to everyone who joined me today in Worsbrough #Barnsley to protest against Govt cuts to community pharmacies pic.twitter.com/8eVryz1EoC
— Michael Dugher MP (@MichaelDugher) October 26, 2016
Tuesday 25 October, 22:00pm
“Pharmacy cuts will only add to pressure on creaking NHS”, writes Michael Dugher MP in The Yorkshire Post. Read the full comment here.
Pharmacy cuts will only add to pressure on creaking NHS – My piece in today’s @yorkshirepost
https://t.co/KuwccnMEC6— Michael Dugher MP (@MichaelDugher) October 26, 2016
Monday 24 October, 12:02pm
David Reissner, a lawyer specialising in UK pharmacy and health law at Charles Russell Speechlys LLP, criticises the Department of Health’s impact assessment of funding cuts to community pharmacy.
I’ve read Impact Assessment underpinning #pharmacycuts. Another #dodgydossier? Includes spin to justify decision made last December.
— David Reissner (@davidreissner) October 24, 2016
Monday 24 October, 11:15am
The All-Party Pharmacy Group (APPG) said that it will “investigate and scrutinise the Government’s reform of community pharmacy funding” in a statement published today. Read the APPG’s full statement.
Kevin Barron MP, chair of the APPG, said: “It’s important to me that no community is left without a pharmacy, but also that pharmacies which remain open don’t have to cut back on the services they provide.”
Friday 21 October, 10:51am
Pharmacy media respond to the Department of Health’s impact assessment of funding cuts to community pharmacy “in 2016/17 and beyond”. Read the full impact assessment.
Hm. So. The first sentence of impact assessment for community pharmacy is “we have no idea of impact on community pharmacy” #pharmacycuts
— Emma Louise (@Legitimate_page) October 21, 2016
.@Legitimate_page reading impact assessment – line 1: “No reliable way of est. number of pharmacies that may close as result of this policy”
— Michael Dowdall (@michael_dowdall) October 21, 2016
Line 2: “Potential inc travel time & economic cost for pts who have to travel further if nearest community pharmacy closes” @Legitimate_page
— Michael Dowdall (@michael_dowdall) October 21, 2016
Line 3: “we cannot robustly estimate this” #impact
#pharmacycuts
@Legitimate_page— Michael Dowdall (@michael_dowdall) October 21, 2016
Thursday 20 October, 5:30pm
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society responds to the Department of Health’s funding package for community pharmacy: “We have consistently asked how the Government’s aspiration for the future of community pharmacy to be at the heart of the NHS can be squared with large reductions in funding.” Read the full statement.
RPS responds to DH final funding package: https://t.co/SH7bX15hTp
— RPS (@rpharms) October 20, 2016
Thursday 20 October, 4:00pm
Department of Health’s imposed funding cuts to community pharmacy cause confusion.
@tony_schofield The maths don’t quite add up if you take at face value their prediction of £1.13 for SAF….
— Steve Mosley (@thatMosley) October 20, 2016
@tony_schofield If items are at 1.1bn, SAF should be about £1.20. £1.13 means they think items will be 1.166bn, or they’re hiding £100m+.
— Steve Mosley (@thatMosley) October 20, 2016
Thursday 20 October, 2:55pm
The National Pharmacy Association, the trade association for independent community pharmacy in the UK, and Pharmacy Voice, the trade association that represents community pharmacy in England, respond to the imposed funding cuts.
Sue Sharpe, chief executive of the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC), says the decision “calls into question the judgment of those in control of community pharmacy policy”. Read the PSNC chief executive’s full statement.
“This is far from over.We will fight on in the light of today’s announcement” NPA Chair Ian Strachan https://t.co/iBi3feJyXk
#lovemypharmacy
pic.twitter.com/6TfCfY7ETv— NPA (@NPA1921) October 20, 2016
Pharmacy Voice angered by Government imposition of damaging and self-defeating cuts – read more here: https://t.co/PXDE72tYcV
— Pharmacy Voice (@PharmacyVoice) October 20, 2016
PSNC Chief Executive Sue Sharpe reacts to funding reduction being imposed by Government https://t.co/TYtFlnPSWH
— PSNC (@PSNCNews) October 20, 2016
Thursday 20 October, 2:45pm
The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee publishes indicative income tables to help predict impact on pharmacy businesses.
Imposition update: PSNC has produced indicative income tables to help contractors predict impact on their businesses https://t.co/IgBTXqcpGz
— PSNC (@PSNCNews) October 20, 2016
Thursday 20 October, 12:45pm
Pharmacists and MPs respond to the imposition of funding cuts to community pharmacy. Read more about David Mowat’s announcement here.
Finally got through the parliamentary statement, with lots of buffer-face going on. Not sure where to start….
— Paul Mason (@psmason73) October 20, 2016
….one offensive and ignorant remark from Govt benches after another. Seems pharmacy only hands out pills then rolls in NHS cash after….
— Paul Mason (@psmason73) October 20, 2016
Worrying news about the imposed #pharmacycuts detailed by @PSNCNews today. 2 million signatories discarded just like that!
— Andrew Mole (@AJMPharm) October 20, 2016
My response today to the Government announcement of reckless cuts to our community pharmacies: pic.twitter.com/aikp2elrnG
— Michael Dugher MP (@MichaelDugher) October 20, 2016
The Govt need to publish the analysis behind this decision, most importantly we need to see the impact assessment as promised by @mowat4ws
— Kevin Barron MP (@KevinBarronMP) October 20, 2016
Thursday 20 October, 12:45pm
The Pharmaceutical Journal’s Elizabeth Sukkar details the pharmacy access scheme.
The #pharmacy access scheme will run from 1 December 2016 to 31 March 2018 #lovemypharmacy
— Elizabeth Sukkar (@E_Sukkar) October 20, 2016
I have counted about 130 Boots pharmacies getting help from the access scheme #lovemypharmacy
— Elizabeth Sukkar (@E_Sukkar) October 20, 2016
And there are about 106 Lloyds pharmacies on the access scheme #lovemypharmacy
@PJOnline_News— Elizabeth Sukkar (@E_Sukkar) October 20, 2016
Thursday 20 October, 11:30am
David Mowat MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department of Health (DH), announces 2-year funding for community pharmacy: £2.687bn in 2016/17 (4% cut) and £2.592bn in 2017/18 (3.4% cut). Read the DH’s statement on its new ‘plans to modernise community pharmacies’.
We have had to make difficult decisions @mowat4ws says; Impact assessment to released today #lovemypharmacy
— Elizabeth Sukkar (@E_Sukkar) October 20, 2016
In case you missed it: the cuts 2016/17 £2.687 bn (4% drop) and 2017/18 £2.592 billion (3.4% drop) #lovemypharmacy
— Elizabeth Sukkar (@E_Sukkar) October 20, 2016
NHSE plan to have minor ailments scheme rolled out nationally in 2018 : @mowat4ws says to House
— Elizabeth Sukkar (@E_Sukkar) October 20, 2016
@mowat4ws explains how the new Pharmacy Access Scheme will ensure those in isolated communities with high health needs will have access pic.twitter.com/FeggROufF8
— DH Media Centre (@DeptHealthPress) October 20, 2016
1356 pharmacies which will receive the Pharmacy Access payments; here they are #lovemypharmacy
https://t.co/xI9dyOSlD5— Elizabeth Sukkar (@E_Sukkar) October 20, 2016
NHS England has secured £42 million of funding for 2016-18 for a new Pharmacy Integration Fund @says department of health #lovemypharmacy
— Elizabeth Sukkar (@E_Sukkar) October 20, 2016
Wednesday 19 October, 16:45pm
Stay up to date on #pharmacycuts with highlights from The Pharmaceutical Journal’s Elizabeth Sukkar.
Density of the UK #pharmacy network is ~double the density in Holland,Sweden & Denmark; opps for us to review clustering @mowat4ws tells MPs
— Elizabeth Sukkar (@E_Sukkar) October 19, 2016
“No community will be left without a #pharmacy “@mowat4ws promises MPs #lovemypharmacy
https://t.co/Vtdo6QGGRZ— Elizabeth Sukkar (@E_Sukkar) October 19, 2016
Justification? 60-65% of pharmacies are owned by public companies/private equity @mowat4ws tells MPs https://t.co/Vtdo6QGGRZ
#lovemypharmacy— Elizabeth Sukkar (@E_Sukkar) October 19, 2016
“We do not believe that any reductions will be skewed towards the independent [pharmacy] sector” @mowat4ws tells MPs https://t.co/Vtdo6QGGRZ
— Elizabeth Sukkar (@E_Sukkar) October 19, 2016
Do not expect ppl to have appreciably more of a journey to a #pharmacy… talking about tens of metres, if any @mowat4ws tells MPs
— Elizabeth Sukkar (@E_Sukkar) October 19, 2016
Wednesday 19 October, 13:05pm
Petition calling on Department of Health to reverse proposals to “cut funding that keeps thousands of pharmacies open” reaches 155,000 signatures.
Wednesday 19 October, 12:57pm
PSNC issues briefing paper in response to the parliamentary debate on community pharmacy funding cuts held on 17 October 2016.
Read PSNC’s response to the Monday’s urgent parliamentary question on community pharmacy https://t.co/UwcZJDs9J6
— PSNC (@PSNCNews) October 19, 2016
Wednesday 19 October, 12:30pm
Stephen Pound, Labour MP for Ealing North, challenges prime minister on “divisive, corrosive and destructive proposal” to cut funding to community pharmacies, “the heroes of the high street”.
Prime minister Theresa May says it is “right to look at how we are spending NHS money”.
Labour MP Stephen Pound asks about funding for community pharmacies https://t.co/Diwkcq2Jfc
#PMQs— House of Commons (@HouseofCommons) October 19, 2016
Stephen Pound asks about the cut to funding for community pharmacies with his usual flair. Still no answer from the government. #PMQs
— Kevin Barron MP (@KevinBarronMP) October 19, 2016
And now the PM refuses to rule out community pharmacy cuts that ministers say could lead to 3000 closing #PMQs
— Jonathan Ashworth MP (@JonAshworth) October 19, 2016
Belated strike by May accusing Corbyn, in A to Stephen Pound, of wanting to nationalise GPs, Macmillan nurses & community pharmacies #PMQs
— John Rentoul (@JohnRentoul) October 19, 2016
Stephen Pound MP challenges “divisive, corrosive and destructive proposal” to cut funding to #pharmacy, “heroes of the high street” #PMQs
— PJonline (@PJOnline_News) October 19, 2016
MP Steven Pound calls for stop to “destructive” pharmacy cuts; PM says duty to ensure public money spent wisely https://t.co/JNKukXo5H6
— Elizabeth Sukkar (@E_Sukkar) October 19, 2016
Wednesday 19 October, 9:00am
Yorkshire pharmacist Darren Powell highlights the large proportion of independents, which will be vulnerable to the proposed cuts. See our full infographic on British community pharmacy in 2016 here.
Recent PJ article @davidreissner – these are the ones least able to defend the savaging of the govt pic.twitter.com/8rQrH9R6Y0
— Darren (@PharmacistDaz) October 19, 2016
Tuesday 18 October, 3:38pm
Tom Brake, MP for Carshalton and Wallington, encourages grassroots campaign to save community pharmacies.
#LoveYourPharmacy? Help protect them by delivering postcards in your street. Message me your name & contact info & I’ll drop off a bundle. pic.twitter.com/jEvBZdHNsy
— Tom Brake MP (@thomasbrake) October 18, 2016
Tuesday 18 October, 12:32pm
‘Future of pharmacies’ on BBC Daily Politics. Watch here.
Pharmacy APPG @KevinBarronMP & @NickBolesMP make the case for community pharmacy on @daily_politics now – Gov. fails to send anyone…
— Pharmacy Voice (@PharmacyVoice) October 18, 2016
No one available from the DH to speak with @KevinBarronMP on Daily Politics. Hm. #pharmacycuts
— Emma Louise (@Legitimate_page) October 18, 2016
Clip from my appearance on @daily_politics it is clear that there is worry across the house. Govt should engage with PSNC to find solution. https://t.co/zdNXGOySI9
— Kevin Barron MP (@KevinBarronMP) October 18, 2016
Tuesday 18 October, 11:41am
Kevin Barron MP, chair of the All-Party Pharmacy Group, will discuss the proposed community pharmacy cuts on the BBC’s Daily Politics programme today. Catch the show here.
I am going to be on @daily_politics today to discuss the proposed cuts to community pharmacies. We need Govt clarification now.
— Kevin Barron MP (@KevinBarronMP) October 18, 2016
Tuesday 18 October, 7:27am
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society publishes Q&A on community pharmacy reforms.
Our Q&A on latest announcements on Community pharmacy reforms Follow @PSNCNews for more news https://t.co/XCWI4hQDPK
— RPS (@rpharms) October 18, 2016
Monday 17 October, 5:57pm
The “government is neglecting the NHS & patients”, British doctor and TV presenter Xand van Tulleken tells The Pharmaceutical Journal.
@michael_dowdall Don’t know enough to comment. But in general this government is neglecting the NHS & patients. This seems consistent.
— Xand van Tulleken (@xandvt) October 17, 2016
Monday 17 October, 4:44pm
Twitter responds to parliament’s urgent question on the proposed 12% funding cuts to pharmacy.
Impact assessment will be published with package. Huh? Surely assessment should be out first..
— Annabelle Collins (@CandDAnnabelle) October 17, 2016
.@mowat4ws constantly talking about clustering but no plan to reduce clustering. Market forces won’t solve clustering.
— Joe Bush (@josephbush) October 17, 2016
“We need to reward those pharmacies that are trying harder than others” – @mowat4ws
#parliamenttoday
#pharmacy— Emma Louise (@Legitimate_page) October 17, 2016
Pharmacies are under a dark cloud says @GrahamJones_MP – great summary!
— Annabelle Collins (@CandDAnnabelle) October 17, 2016
I’m paraphrasing slightly but @mowat4ws’s primary response to any point is “yeah, but GP pharmacists”
— Joe Bush (@josephbush) October 17, 2016
Just told minister that closure of any community pharmacy is a loss. They take pressure off GPs & A&E @PharmacyVoice
@AllisonsChemist— Sue Hayman (@SueHayman1) October 17, 2016
Monday 17 October, 4:32pm
David Mowat, Under-Secretary for the Department of Health, explains the position of the government’s consultation on pharmacy funding cuts in response to an urgent question from Michael Dugher MP. Read the full transcript.
MPs question Health Minister on #UKGov’s funding for community pharmacies for 2016/17 & 2017/18.
Watch full video https://t.co/IkHGNe4jyv
pic.twitter.com/xGQb53JNsr— House of Commons (@HouseofCommons) October 17, 2016
Monday 17 October, 1:02pm
Michael Dugher, MP for Barnsley East, is granted an ‘urgent question’ on the pharmacy cuts in parliament, says Kevin Barron, MP for the Rother Valley and Chair of the All-Party Pharmacy Group.
.@MichaelDugher has been granted an urgent question on the pharmacy cuts in parliament, I hope to get called for a question.
— Kevin Barron MP (@KevinBarronMP) October 17, 2016
Monday 17 October, 10:00am
PSNC petition calling to reverse cuts to pharmacy funding reaches 100,000 signatures.
Sunday 16 October, 6:13pm
The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) urges health professionals and patients to sign a petition calling on the Department of Health to rethink funding cuts to “make sure that all of us have a pharmacy nearby”.
URGENT: Sign the @38_degrees petition in support of local pharmacies in your area before it’s too late https://t.co/o3n7ArZn0f
— PSNC (@PSNCNews) October 16, 2016
Saturday 15 October, 9:53pm
Pharmacy cuts make the front page of the Sunday Express.
Sunday Express front page:
Prescription for disaster#tomorrowspaperstoday
#bbcpapers
pic.twitter.com/vIZ40WVDlQ— Nick Sutton (@suttonnick) October 15, 2016
Friday 14 October, 4:53pm
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has said that it is “deeply disappointed” and “alarmed” it emerged that the Department of Health plans to cut community pharmacy funding in England by 12% from December 2016, with a further 7% cut due in 2017. Read the full story.
Friday 14 October, 4:50pm
Community pharmacy sector rejects government plans to implement 12% funding cuts.
The plans could result in the closure of a quarter of pharmacies and the removal of free health services from community pharmacies, according to the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC). Read the full story.
Clear letter from @PSNCNews detailing why the proposals for pharmacy funding are plain wrong https://t.co/mh0zF8gmpX
— Robbie Turner (@CPWYRobbie) October 14, 2016
Friday 14 October, 12:58pm
Pharmacy bodies say the urgent prescription referral scheme in England has been designed to draw attention away from looming cuts to community pharmacy funding. Read the full story.
Friday 14 October, 8:15am
Claire Ward, chair of Pharmacy Voice, a trade association that represents community pharmacy in England, tells BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that “the government plans to carry on with these terrible cuts that will have a devastating impact upon community pharmacy”.
