Pharmacists employed directly by general practices should receive a 6% pay uplift following the recommendations of the Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration (DDRB).

But this may vary from practice to practice, since as independent contractors, each GP employer will decide whether to pass on the 6% uplift in salary funding to their employees.

It is also unclear if those employed under the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) will be included in the rise.

In its recommendations published on Monday, the DDRB recommended a 6% increase to salary scales, pay ranges and the pay elements of general practice contracts from 1 April 2024.

Yesterday, the government announced that it would accept this recommendation by uplifting the pay element of the GP contract by 6% on a consolidated basis (an increase of 4% on top of the 2% interim uplift in April).

And it has been confirmed today that this is intended to cover GP contractor, salaried GPs and salaried practice staff salaries.

The Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England will consult the British Medical Association (BMA) on the uplift to the GP contract, and further information will be available once these discussions have concluded.

Paul Day, director of the Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA) said that the funding uplifts were announced 'with the clear intention that frontline public servants, such as health professionals, and others should see those increases to their pay'.

'The PDA expect the owners of GP practices to pass on the 6% increase they are being awarded to the teams they employ, including pharmacists, so that each individual sees that 6% increase as intended.  However, these are separate employers and so each GP practice or group of GP practices needs to confirm that decision in relation to their own employees,' he added.

The government has also committed to uplifting all pay points for Agenda for Change staff by 5.5% on a consolidated basis, following the recommendations of the NHS Pay Review Body (NHSPRB).

General practices are considering potential 'collective action', starting tomorrow, if a BMA ballot is passed.

This is a breaking news story, more to follow