Health and care policy

A 2.8% pay uplift recommendation reflects a tough economy for everyone

In this month’s health policy column, Andy Cowper warns that high gilts and low growth may mean pay parsimony for pharmacists, but questions whether more NHS strikes would have public backing.…

Evaluation report of community pharmacy clinical services delayed until spring 2025, says NHS England

Exclusive: NHS England said the delay is to avoid releasing an incomplete report, which could infer inaccurate suggestions relating to the pharmacy sector and damage patient confidence.…

Pharmacy contract negotiations to start in new year, says health secretary

Speaking at an evidence session held by the Health and Social Care Committee, Wes Streeting said his main focus was on “stabilising the system”.…

PJ view: There are still reasons to be optimistic about pharmacy in 2025, despite a challenging 2024 

A turbulent 2024 has left the pharmacy profession with many uncertainties, but there are still opportunities to come in 2025.…

Pharmacy First treatment options should be broadened to support antimicrobial stewardship, says CCA

The Company Chemists’ Association says widening treatment options for conditions under the Pharmacy First service would “ensure antibiotics are only provided when absolutely required”.…

Ban on puberty blockers in the UK made indefinite, government says

Independent expert advice provided by the Commission on Human Medicines has urged that the ban continue while progress is made towards safeguarding children and young people.…

Tackling pharmacy funding crisis crucial to NHS transformation priorities, CPE tells government

Responding to the consultation shaping the government's ten-year plan for the NHS, Community Pharmacy England called for investment to assure the sector’s “long-term stability”.…

Autumn budget could result in £200m additional annual costs for community pharmacies, finds analysis

Pharmacy bodies have called on the government to offset costs for community pharmacies related to increases in employers' national insurance contributions and the national living wage as it has done with the NHS.…

Government should publish national strategy to tackle medicines shortages, says RPS

In ‘Medicines shortages policy: solutions for empty shelves’, published on 26 November 2024, the Society makes 20 recommendations to alleviate ongoing medicines shortages in the UK.…

Chief pharmaceutical officers say it is ‘entirely reasonable’ for pharmacists to take position on assisted dying bill

A joint statement warned that the outcome of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill must not undermine provision of good end-of-life care and work by palliative care clinicians.…