Opinions on the pharmacy contract are being sought by Community Pharmacy England (CPE) in its latest sector poll.
CPE has urged pharmacy owners to share whether the settlement eases financial pressure, what challenges remain, and how it affects their business outlook.
Related Article: What does the 2026/27 contract mean for pharmacies?
The survey – for independent and non-Company Chemists’ Association (CCA) multiples only – will close at 11.59pm on 12 July, and the answers will help CPE to understand the impact of the new settlement as well as ongoing challenges faced by the sector.
CPE said that CCA multiple branches do not need to respond because it will contact their head offices separately.
Alongside the poll, CPE is also holding a series of in-person events where pharmacy staff can learn more about the settlement, ask questions, and share their views on the future reform programme.
CPE said: ‘Your feedback matters. We hope that as many of you as possible will share your thoughts with us – this is your chance to feed directly into the Committee and its important work.’
Related Article: Pharmacists concerned they will see ‘very little’ of contract funding boost
This year’s Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF) includes a 10.3% (£340 million) funding increase and plans to introduce independent prescribing into Pharmacy First and the Contraception Service.
There is a lot of uncertainty within the sector about how this expansion will be implemented.
The Pharmacist heard from one leader that the available funding for IP expansion is what they would expect from a pilot scheme rather than a large-scale national service.
Related Article: NPA to poll pharmacists on the impact of new contract on frontline services
CPE continue to warn of a ‘sector in crisis’ and said its members only agreed to this settlement on the condition of a joint reform programme with the government and NHS England.
The negotiator said: ‘We have been clear with government that the sector is in a critical position, and that we now need urgent work on a sustainable long-term solution, including reform of the contract, funding and reimbursement model.’
Related Article: Community pharmacy £340m contract funding boost ‘significant’ but not enough
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