Community pharmacy funding negotiations have concluded, Community Pharmacy England has said.

It comes as the economic analysis of community pharmacy has been published, which was due to happen after negotiations concluded.

In response, CPE told The Pharmacist: 'Now that CPCF [Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework] negotiations have concluded we are working urgently to share full news and details about the year ahead with the sector – timings are dictated by Government, but this is scheduled to happen on Monday'.

Commenting on the news that negotiations have concluded, Nick Kaye, chair of the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) told The Pharmacist: 'Pharmacies will be deeply relieved to have certainty about their financial position.

'We’ll look carefully at the detail when it emerges and consult with our members to understand what this means for their sustainability before issuing further advice.

'As the independent economic analysis has laid bare, the government have inherited an intolerable situation and have a mountain to climb to address the unprecedented challenges facing pharmacies across the country.'

With a new pharmacy funding contract for 2024/25 and 2025/26 still not announced, the NPA had proposed that pharmacies give notice to reduce their opening hours and some services 'if a sensible deal doesn’t emerge by April 1'.

Earlier this week, pharmacy minister Stephen Kinnock called the proposed collective action 'premature, unnecessary and detrimental to community pharmacy patients'.

And he said that following 'constructive' negotiations with community pharmacy representatives, a new pharmacy contract would 'come very shortly'.