Next Welsh government urged to agree new community pharmacy funding formula

Community Pharmacy Wales (CPW) has called on the next Welsh government to agree to a new community pharmacy funding formula ahead of the May 2026 Senedd elections.

In its manifesto for 2026, published on 7 May 2025, CPW said the next Welsh government should “take into account both increased costs and growth in clinical service activity” to ensure a sustainable and viable network to support the successful delivery and ambitions of ‘Presgripsiwn newydd — a new prescription‘.

‘Presgripsiwn newydd — a new prescription’, published by the Welsh government in December 2021, outlined wide-ranging reforms to community pharmacy contractual arrangements, launched by CPW, the Welsh government and NHS Wales.

The CPW manifesto said the new funding arrangements for the sector must guarantee that all elements of NHS funding increase annually in line with inflation.

“The funding formula for community pharmacies in Wales needs urgent review to ensure the sustainability of the network and the continued delivery of the ambitions of ‘Presgripsiwn newydd’,” it said.

“Without reform, the viability of the community pharmacy network will continue to be at risk and further closures or reductions in opening hours, could leave communities without vital healthcare access.”

In July 2024, CPW announced that funding for the sector was ring-fenced for 2024/2025 at £165.1m — the same amount as in 2023/2024. 

In April 2025, the Welsh government announced that community pharmacies in Wales would receive a one-off £6m stability payment, which is equivalent to an added 30p per prescription item dispensed in January, February and March 2025.

CPW’s 2026 manifesto also urges the next Welsh government to “create a level playing field for pharmacy professionals across all sectors” through sustained investment in the community pharmacy workforce, “enabling pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to fully use their skills to bring high-quality healthcare closer to home”.

CPW believes that political parties must “ensure fair access to funding for clinical facilities improvements” and “recognise the potential of community pharmacy to play a leading role in the development of a Wales-wide ill-health prevention agenda”.

The next Senedd election will be held by 7 May 2026, through which the Welsh Parliament will elect 96 members.