PSNC is calling on all pharmacy teams who have not yet responded to take part in its Pharmacy Advice Audit in the next week.

The audit will provide critical evidence to be used in funding discussions with the Government and NHS England, as well as information to support pharmacy’s wider advocacy work and help to make the case for the sector.

For maximum impact, PSNC needs ‘as many pharmacies as possible to take part’ by 11 March, it said.

Negotiations on the 2022/23 pharmacy funding contract in England began last week (28 February), which will include special emphasis on additional funding for the Community Pharmacy Consultation Service.

The negotiations on the arrangements for 2022/23 – which have started later than expected due to the volume of recent urgent Covid-19 work – will cover all service, funding and other arrangements for pharmacies, PSNC said.

The body also predicted that the NHS could save £640 million if patients with minor ailments went directly to pharmacists instead of GPs.