No increase in NHS prescription fees for the first time in three years The government has announced that the single item prescription charge for 2025/2026 will remain at £9.90.…
NICE reverses draft guidance to recommend targeted therapy for patients with advanced bowel cancer The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence said the treatment should be available on the NHS after the manufacturer provided additional clinical evidence.…
NHS England sets target to save £1bn on medicines by 2029 Board papers published in March 2025 said that using “commercial capabilities” had realised close to £500m in medicines savings in 2023/2024.…
NICE recommends capivasertib for advanced breast cancer Clinical trial results revealed that capivasertib, taken with fulvestrant, can provide advanced breast cancer patients with an additional four months before their cancer progresses.…
Scottish government offers hospital pharmacists 8% pay increase over two years The proposed pay offer to NHS Agenda for Change staff amounts to an £701m investment and is promised to remain above the consumer price index inflation rate in 2025/2026 and 2026/2027.…
NHS England increases ARRS reimbursement for pharmacists in 2025/2026 The maximum reimbursable amount for Band 7–8a pharmacists employed under the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme will increase to £66,972.…
Delivering advanced services under the new pharmacy contract Data obtained by The Pharmaceutical Journal show that one in ten pharmacies have withdrawn from an advanced service since 2021, but will the new funding make it easier for them to deliver these services?…
Almost 80% of pharmacies ‘unsustainable’, finds NHS-commissioned economic review Results of the economic analysis by Frontier Economics and IQVIA were considered in negotiations over the community pharmacy contract, details of which were announced on 31 March 2025.…
Medicines pricing system creating ‘false economy’ that drives shortages, says CCA report A report published by the Company Chemists’ Association found that the number of price concessions granted for generic medicines increased by over 740% from 2015 to 2024.…
NPA advises thousands of pharmacies to limit services from April 2025 As the government has yet to provide confirmation of funding for either the 2024/2025 or 2025/2026 financial years, the National Pharmacy Association recommends that its members consider limiting their service provision.…
