The number of full-time equivalent (FTE) pharmacists employed across primary care networks (PCN) has fallen slightly, according to latest monthly figures.

However, it remains the most popular additional roles reimbursement scheme (ARRS) role within PCNs, alongside care coordinators and social prescribers.

NHS England this week published monthly primary care network workforce statistics which is based on the National Workforce Reporting Service – showing those employed across PCNs through the ARRS and the extended access Directed Enhanced Service (DES).

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Data shows the number of FTE pharmacists dropped by 31 between March and April 2025 – down from 5,469 to 5,438.

This comes as practice pharmacists have been reportedly feeling ‘unsettled’ over recent funding ARRS funding changes that mean some GP practices are looking to replace non-GP staff.

A survey carried out by our sister titles Pulse and Management in Practice suggested more than a third (37%) of GP practices in England are considering or have already started replacing non-GP ARRS staff with GPs.

Changes to the GP contract for 2024/25 saw the previously ringfenced ARRS funding for GPs combined into the pot with all other roles, meaning PCNs are no longer capped on how many newly registered GPs they can recruit within the boundaries of the ARRS.

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General practice nurses – both new and experienced – were also added to the list of roles that PCNs can employ under the ARRS.

And president of the Primary Care Pharmacy Association (PCPA) Dr Graham Stretch told The Pharmacist earlier this week he was aware of some ‘isolated cases’ where practice pharmacists are being replaced, including one example of a ‘whole pharmacy team being dismissed and replaced by nurses’.

Monthly and quarterly workforce statistics continue to show that practice pharmacists are the most sought after ARRS role.

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Last week, data showed the number of pharmacists employed by PCNs had increased by 193 between December 2024 and March 2025.

Separately, NHS England has also this week revealed that more than 1,700 GPs are now employed through the ARRS – up over 200 since the end of March.