Medicines optimisation teams need to showcase their value to withstand ICB funding cuts With integrated care boards soon to have lost 65% of their funding over two years, now is the time for medicines optimisation teams to ‘be noisy’ about their work.…
Chief pharmacists call for medicines leadership to be ‘fundamental component’ of strategic commissioning system In a letter to NHS England, four integrated care board chief pharmacists said that they must shape and lead on medicines at a time of NHS change.…
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NICE reverses draft guidance to recommend targeted therapy for patients with advanced bowel cancer The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence said the treatment should be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under the new pharmacy contract Data obtained by The Pharmaceutical Journal show that one in ten pharmacies have withdrawn from an advanced service since 2021, but will the new funding make it easier for them to deliver these services?…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.…
