The pharmacy minister Stephen Kinnock has promised a 'major new funding package' for community pharmacy that is due to be announced 'shortly'.

This comes as Frontier Economics has published its economic analysis of community pharmacy in England.

Responding to the report, Health Minister Stephen Kinnock told The Pharmacist today: 'This stark analysis shows community pharmacies have been driven to the brink of collapse by years of underfunding and neglect.

'We are on a mission to stabilise the sector and make it fit for patients and pharmacy teams long into the future – and that starts by agreeing a major new funding package due to be announced shortly.

'We will shift the focus of care from hospitals back into the community, and pharmacies have a vital role to play in delivering better care for patients, closer to home.

'Reversing over a decade of decline will take time, but through our Plan for Change we will deliver the fundamental reforms needed to get the sector back on its feet.'

Following the release of the economic analysis this morning, Community Pharmacy England revealed that the funding negotiations have now concluded, with the deal set to be announced on Monday.

A spokesperson told The Pharmacist earlier today: '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'.