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PSNC considering legal action over community pharmacy cuts, but says strike action ‘unwise’

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.…

NHS England has a lack of understanding of community pharmacy, contractors agree

NHS England has insufficient expertise and understanding of community pharmacy services and this must be rectified because taking decisions “in ignorance of how community pharmacy props up and supports the NHS is dangerous”, local pharmaceutical committees (LPCs) agreed unanimously at th…

Pharmacist expertise must be used to support people with long-term conditions

A new campaign calling for pharmacists to have a significant role in supporting people with long-term conditions is being launched by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.…

Pharmacy closures are not in the interests of patients or the public

Despite almost a year of protests and the 2.2 million people who signed a petition against funding cuts to community pharmacy, the government has decided to go ahead. The truth is it had already made the decision, has never engaged meaningfully in any consultation and is now intent on window dressin…

RPS Wales welcomes funding commitment from Welsh government

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) in Wales has welcomed a written statement from Vaughan Gething, cabinet secretary for health, well-being and sport, in which he reassures community pharmacists in Wales that funding for the sector will be guaranteed over the next two years. “This is…

Planned funding cuts for community pharmacy in England are not based on evidence

The UK government’s documents on funding cuts for community pharmacy are inconsistent and lack evidence.…

Government lists pharmacies that will be shielded from full effect of funding cuts

More than 1,300 pharmacies will receive additional payments to protect against the full effects of community pharmacy funding cuts in England.…

Pharmacy integration fund will total £42m over next two years

NHS England has announced that the pharmacy integration fund (PhIF), originally proposed in December 2015 as part of the government’s plans for community pharmacy, will total £42m over the next two years. This is substantially lower than the initial figure put forward earlier in 2016, wh…

Community pharmacists ‘will need support’ after pharmacy cuts announcement, says RPS

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society says community pharmacists will need widespread support from pharmacy organisations after health minister David Mowat announced community pharmacy funding cuts will be implemented from 1 December 2016.…

Establishment payments to be phased out in pharmacy funding overhaul

From December 2016, establishment payments will be gradually phased out, the Department of Health announced on 20 October 2016.…