Pharmacy minister Stephen Kinnock has been unable to confirm how many times he has met with the sector's negotiator, nor give an estimate of when the pharmacy contract negotiations would conclude.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said it was 'not possible' to respond to two written questions related to pharmacy negotiations within the usual one working week time period.
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On Monday 3 February, shadow parliamentary under secretary for health and social care Dr Luke Evans asked Mr Kinnock how many meetings he has had with Community Pharmacy England (CPE) since July 2024.
Dr Evans, who is the Conservative MP for Hinckley and Bosworth, also asked the pharmacy minister when he expects to conclude the consultation on the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework's 2025 to 2026 funding contract.
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In response to both questions, the Department of Health and Social Care indicated that it was 'not possible' to give an answer within the usual time period.
'An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available,' Mr Kinnock added.
The government sent a letter to CPE on Monday 27 January to signal the start of negotiations for the 2024/25 and 2025/26 funding agreements.
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At the time, CPE chief executive Janet Morrison expressed 'relief' that the discussions were beginning following several delays.
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