The government is looking at the negotiations around community pharmacy funding and contractual framework arrangements for 2024/25 'as a matter of urgency', the parliamentary under-secretary for health and social care has said.

Responding to a written question from Conservative peer Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth, Baroness Merron noted that the 'consultation with Community Pharmacy England on the national funding and contractual framework arrangements for 2024/25 was not concluded by the previous government'.

'We are looking at this as a matter of urgency,' she added in a written answer published yesterday (16 September).

Baroness Merron also noted the fall in pharmacy provision over recent years, with 'about 1,200 fewer pharmacies than in 2017, and over 600 fewer than two years ago'.

But she added: 'Despite a reduction in the number of pharmacies, on average, access remains good with four in five people living within a 20-minute walk from a pharmacy and twice as many pharmacies in the most deprived areas.

'Patients can also access 400 distance selling pharmacies that provide services nationally and must deliver any medicines they dispense free of charge.'

And she highlighted the Pharmacy Access Scheme which 'provides financial support to pharmacies in areas where there are fewer pharmacies'.

Although the previous five-year Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF) came to an end in March 2024, a deal has not yet been reached for the current financial year.

It was delayed further by the general election earlier this year, with CPE saying that CPCF negotiations were not expected to start before September.

Earlier this month, the negotiator said discussions were expected to recommence 'soon'.

Community pharmacy leaders have described the delay to the contract as 'frustrating' and 'ridiculous'. And contractors have said they are struggling to operate on a funding deal agreed more than five years ago.

Meanwhile, sector leaders in England have recently said that community pharmacy could consider 'working to rule' under GP-style collective action, if community pharmacy contract negotiations don't go their way.

The contract for 2024/24 is expected to be a one-year interim arrangement, with contractors warned not to expect ‘revolutionary’ change.

Instead, the negotiator has said it is aiming to lay the groundwork for next year’s negotiations.