Support is 'urgently needed' to help community pharmacies meet Pharmacy First thresholds, as the number of consultations required for a monthly payment rises to 20 this month, Community Pharmacy England (CPE) has said.

This comes as the latest available data shows that in May 2024, an increasing number of pharmacies failed to meet the rising thresholds required for the monthly £1,000 payment.

NHS Business Services Authority data suggests that in May, around three in 10 participating pharmacies did not meet the then minimum threshold of 10 clinical pathway consultations, according to analysis by The Pharmacist.

This is an increase from the estimated two in 10 that failed to meet April's threshold of five clinical pathway consultations.

Around six in 10 participating pharmacies conducted fewer than 15 consultations in May - the threshold required from August following a last-minute change.

And nearly three-quarters did not conduct 20 clinical pathway consultations in May - the threshold that will be required from this month.

Janet Morrison, CPE chief executive, said that the ability of pharmacy owners to meet the Pharmacy First monthly payment thresholds was 'a major ongoing concern'.

'The latest data highlights this burning issue,' she said.

Ms Morrison said that while the easement in August did help some pharmacies, government action was urgently needed to support the sector as thresholds rise this month and next.

'Amidst a funding crisis, community pharmacies cannot afford to lose out on this vital payment,' she said.

'We remain determined to push for full commitment on all sides to the shared objective of making the service a success, mindful that it is critical to the Government’s manifesto commitment to build on the service to create a wider Community Pharmacist Prescribing Service.

'It is our strongly held view that community pharmacy has carried out its side of the bargain in launching the Pharmacy First service, but NHS England need to match that commitment through more effective advertising and ensuring that GPs refer as many patients as possible,' Ms Morrison added in a statement shared on Friday.

An NHS spokesperson said it had run 'an extensive advertising campaign across video on demand, online video, social media, and poster sites in public spaces' showing the support patients can receive at their pharmacist'.

'We are now working closely with ICBs to support pharmacies and general practices to ensure the right patients can be seen in pharmacy settings, offering a more convenient option for those with minor illness, and an opportunity to better manage capacity across primary care,' the spokesperson added.