Uplift contractual framework to stop pharmacy closures- CCA urges government

Sector leaders have welcomed the NPA ballot results, which demonstrate that community pharmacies are prepared to take collective action if a funding
increase is not achieved.

Nearly all pharmacy owners, who participated in the NPA ballot, said they were willing to limit their services to protest funding cuts.

Commenting on the poll results, Malcolm Harrison, CEO of the Company Chemists’ Association (CCA) said: “The results of the NPA ballot serves to underline
the huge pressure that pharmacy contractors face, following a decade of underfunding.

He emphasised the need to start the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF) renegotiations for 2024/25 without delay.

“The government and NHS must uplift all elements of the contractual framework, to stop further reductions in pharmacy opening hours and permanent pharmacy
closures, and to ensure that patients can continue to receive the medicines and clinical care and advice they need,” he added.

Harry McQuillan, Chairman of Numark, stated that while the NPA ballot outcome has once again brought the financial crisis facing the sector into focus, this
is “an everyday reality” for many independent pharmacies and that it has reached “breaking point.”

He warned that rising operational costs including the increase in national insurance and minimum wage will push many more to the brink.