Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework negotiations have now begun for the 2024/25 and 2025/26 funding agreements, the government has announced.

The government sent a letter to Community Pharmacy England (CPE) on Monday to signal the start of the negotiations, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said today.

Minister of state for care Stephen Kinnock said he was 'committed to working closely' with CPE 'to agree a package of funding that is reflective of the important support that they provide to patients up and down the country'.

'I am confident that together we can get the sector back on its feet and fit for pharmacies and patients long into the future,' he said.

The government also reiterated its intention to shift the focus of care from hospitals into the community, and make better use of pharmacists’ skills and training to deliver more services for patients within their local communities.

Janet Morrison, CPE chief executive, expressed 'relief' that the discussions were now beginning.

'Community Pharmacy England will consider very carefully if the proposals that the government is putting on the table address the severity of the funding crisis in community pharmacy,' she said.

Delays to pharmacy funding arrangements

The previous contractual framework began in 2019 and was set to expire in March 2024.

But negotiations were still underway in May when a general election was called. This delayed the process further.

In July, contractors told The Pharmacist that contract delays were causing 'stress, uncertainty and closures'. And amid increased demand for pharmacy services they were unable to pay staff enough to retain them, they said.

NPA could still recommend collective action if offer does not meet tests

Planned increases to the national living wage and national insurance contributions added to pharmacy pressures. And National Pharmacy Association (NPA) members voted overwhelmingly in favour of taking 'working to rule'-style collective action if a satisfactory deal were not forthcoming.

Following today's announcement, the NPA suggested it would still recommend that pharmacies reduce their services if the upcoming pharmacy funding offer does not meet its requirements.

IPA: 'Invest in pharmacy to save'

Meanwhile, Dr Leyla Hannbeck, chief executive of the Independent Pharmacies Association, welcomed the start of the negotiations, despite being 'long overdue'.

'For the past year, the future of community pharmacies has been plagued with uncertainty, and we urge government to provide our sector with a fair funding,' she said.

'IPA and our members have been working very hard lobbying in Parliament and meeting with decision makers to put a robust case forward for community pharmacy.

'Pharmacies are not just a core part of our primary care system, but also the fabric of our communities across the UK, it is vital that they are given the funding needed to deliver for communities. At IPA our slogan remains loud and clear, invest in pharmacy to save.'

RPS: Funding for pharmacies 'essential' for patients

And Tase Oputu, Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) England board chair, said the news was 'welcome, but long-awaited' for pharmacy teams under pressure.

'It’s essential the government prioritises sustained investment and funding for community pharmacies to ensure patients can continue to access a resilient community pharmacy network,' she added.

PDA: Include frontline workers in negotiations

Meanwhile Jay Badenhorst, director of pharmacy at the Pharmacists Defence Association (PDA), said that contract negotiations 'both now and in the future' must 'extend beyond contractors and the commissioner of NHS services'.

'The voices of frontline healthcare professionals, who are directly engaged with patients and have a comprehensive understanding of the workforce challenges and opportunities within England’s community pharmacies, are far too often not heard and must also be included.

'This is particularly critical in ensuring the effective delivery of initiatives such as the Pharmacy First service,' he told The Pharmacist today.

CCA: Funding uplift needed urgently

Malcolm Harrison, chief executive of the Company Chemists' Association (CCA) also welcomed the restarting of the delayed 2024-25 negotiations, and the beginnings of discussions for the 2025-26 contractual framework.

'Community pharmacy urgently needs an uplift in funding to stabilise the network, halt further closures, and ensure patients receive the medicines they need.

'Additional funding is necessary to realise the three shifts the government envisages for the NHS, particularly in shifting care out into the community and prevention,' he stressed.