The sector has welcomed the government's eventual response to a parliamentary report into pharmacy, but expressed disappointment that some recommendations were not accepted and a concrete commitment to increase funding was not made.

And the Health and Social Care Committee (HSCC), which authored the report, has raised concerns about the 'lack of urgency' in the government's response on funding, medicines shortages and workforce challenges.

In its response, published on Friday (10 January), the government 'partially accepted' recommendations on community pharmacy funding, but rejected recommendations such as generic substitution and making over-the-counter medicines available free of charge to low income individuals through a pharmacy.

Government response 'does not reflect urgency' set out by report

But the chair of the Health and Social Care Committee (HSCC), whose predecessor authored the pharmacy report, raised concerns that the government response 'does not clearly reflect the sense of urgency' set out in the report on 'pressing issues in community pharmacy on funding, medicine shortages and challenges in the workforce'.

Liberal Democrat MP for Oxford West and Abingdon Layla Moran said there were also 'immediate questions' for the government to address.

'In particular, we know that uptake of key childhood vaccinations is falling, so we are keen to know whether the government sees more of a role for community pharmacy in addressing this challenge,' she said.

A 28% funding uplift 'only fair and right'

Dr Leyla Hannbeck, chief executive of the Independent Pharmacies Association (IPA), said it was good to see the committee focusing on issues like medicines shortages and vaccinations.

'The community pharmacy network has proven time and time again that it can be relied on to deliver accessible care save tax payer money. The government needs to tap into this valuable network if they are serious in the prevention agenda and saving the NHS,' she told The Pharmacist.

But she said that urgent action was needed on funding as the sector 'is struggling to survive'.

'It is only fair and right that the government and officials address this real term cut to community pharmacy funding by giving a 28% uplift to the community pharmacy sector,' Dr Hannbeck said.

'Significant disappointments' in belated response to pharmacy report

Janet Morrison, chief executive of the negotiator Community Pharmacy England (CPE) said it was 'useful to have finally had a response' to the inquiry.

'This sheds further light on the government’s current thinking on critical topics for our sector,' she added.

The HSCC report was published in May 2024, with the government given until the end of July 2024 to respond. But following the election of a new government in early July, the new government's response has only just been published.

Ms Morrison said that there were some 'significant disappointments in the response', including 'no new promises on funding and a rejection of generic substitution'.

But it was 'more positive that the government is at least partially accepting 17 out of the 19 recommendations', Ms Morrison added.

The sector is 'keen to get going' on new initiatives 'to deliver solutions for pharmacy, for patients and for primary care, at pace', Ms Morrison said.

But she added: 'Let’s be clear: these changes will come at a cost.'

'Community pharmacies cannot take on the burden of the proposals to extend their services if the core funding issues aren’t fixed. This remains an urgent crisis which needs resolution,' Ms Morrison said.

The negotiator is still waiting for formal discussions regarding the 2024/25 community pharmacy contractual framework to recommence, The Pharmacist understands.

'Additional support is needed now'

Elen Jones, director of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) in England and Wales, said the government's 'words must now be backed by action' in the 10-Year Health Plan and new workforce plan expected later this year.

But she cautioned: 'Pharmacists and pharmacy teams are under significant pressure and many will share the committee chair’s concern that additional support is needed now.'

Ms Jones also welcomed the government’s commitment 'to make the most of the next generation of pharmacist prescribers', but said this would need 'sustained investment in IT systems, workforce and a prescribing budget'.

And given the government's response 'accepting that there may be occasions where it is appropriate to enable further flexibility' on pharmacists making substitutions in the case of medicines shortages, Ms Jones said the RPS looked forward 'to progressing this further'.

The RPS also urged the government to act on the HSCC's recommendation to widen access to HIV prevention drug PrEP via community pharmacy.

'Imperative' to take on views of pharmacist workforce

Meanwhile, the Pharmacists’ Defence Association (PDA) urged the government to take the views of the pharmacist workforce into account as it develops future proposals.

'The PDA has long advocated that the voice of the workforce must be part of discussions around the development of future contractual arrangements,' a PDA spokesperson told The Pharmacist.

'Currently, it is a small but powerful number of pharmacy business owners who are directly involved in agreeing any new contractual arrangements with the government.

'Conversely, most pharmacists are employees and locums who will be expected to the deliver the contract and services to patients.

'It is our view that it would be better for all concerned if the pharmacist workforce were more engaged in the process from the outset.'

And regarding workforce, they added: 'It is imperative that the workforce is considered in any future service expansion plans as it is those on the frontline providing the services, undertaking additional training and being responsible for the day-to-day safe and effective operation of a pharmacy.'

The PDA also highlighted the 'critical role' that integrated care boards (ICBs) could play in the development of an approach where pharmacists will be seen as part of the 'multidisciplinary team across local systems'.

In particular, the PDA suggested that pharmacists could be deployed by the ICB 'across a local system'.

'We look forward to working with the government and the NHS in shaping this approach, particularly around the development of independent prescribing services in a community pharmacy setting,' the spokesperson added.