NPA calls for urgent funding in response to ‘inexcusable’ contract delay

Delays in finalising the community pharmacy contract for the upcoming financial year have been branded ‘inexcusable’ by sector leaders.

Community Pharmacy England (CPE) confirmed on Friday that negotiations over the 2026/27 Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF) will not reach a conclusion before April 1.

Harry Gregg, chief executive of the National Pharmacy Association (NPA), said it was 'deeply disappointing' that pharmacies would have no certainty going into an 'incredibly challenging' financial year with 'eye watering' new bills to pay.

He warned that services will be hit if interim funding is not made available and called on the government to provide pharmacies with an urgent stabilisation payment to help them meet increased business rates and living wage costs.

Related Article: Pharmacists concerned they will see ‘very little’ of contract funding boost

'Without stabilisation, pharmacies will have no choice but to cut back services that patients depend on,' Mr Gregg warned.

Mr Gregg pointed to the disparity between funding arrangements for pharmacy and general practice, insisting that the government 'must stop treating hard-working pharmacies as second class citizens'.

He said: 'If financial arrangements can be put in place for GP colleagues with ample time before April, there is no excuse as to why the same courtesy can't be afforded to pharmacies.'

Mr Gregg added: 'This is not only a question of money, it is also about showing due respect to hardworking and long-suffering members of the NHS team, who should not be made to wait for progress on bridging their funding gap.'

CPE said that the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and NHS England were ‘working hard’ on the negotiations and until talks are concluded arrangements 'will continue as they currently are'.

However, the DHSC has applied a margin uplift for the April drug tariff, with CPE advising that 'further fine tuning' may be required once the outcome of negotiations is determined.

Related Article: Expansion of Pharmacy First a ‘key step’ in delivering preventative care

CPE said that it was ‘not yet clear’ when the negotiations will conclude.

Janet Morrison, CPE chief executive, added: 'Whilst 2026/27 CPCF discussions are now expected to continue into the new financial year, I want to reassure you that Community Pharmacy England’s focus remains firmly on securing the best possible outcome for pharmacy owners’ interests.

'It is hard to predict when negotiations and cross-government clearance will be complete but, in the meantime, current funding and arrangements will roll forward into the next financial year.

'We know pharmacy owners are concerned about the impending financial cliff edge that April represents, with increases in business rates and the National Living Wage coming into effect. This is at the forefront of our minds at every step and has been factored into our proposals, and we continue to warn Government about the urgent need to close the sector’s funding gap.'

Related Article: Beyond the scales: reframing eating disorder recognition in primary care