RE: Pharmacy First Service Beyond April 2025
Dear Member,
As you know, the Pharmacy First Service was launched as part of the 2023 Primary Care Recovery Plan by the
Conservative Government. This plan included the Pharmacy First Service, alongside the expansion of the Blood Pressure Service and the Contraception Service.
It was made clear during the launch that from April 2025, the incentive payment of £1,000 per month for meeting Clinical Pathway targets would only be available to pharmacies delivering the Pharmacy First Service, achieving its
targets, and they must also delivering the Blood Pressure Service and the full Tier 1 and Tier 2 Contraception Service.
The Pharmacy First Service began in January 2024 and was expected to conclude in March 2025, pending new arrangements from April 2025.
Since the launch, a new
Labour government has taken office, and the pharmacy contract for this year, next year, and beyond has yet to be agreed. Community Pharmacy England is currently negotiating with the government.
We remain hopeful that an agreement will be reached before the end of the financial year. If no agreement is reached, it is likely that a contract will be imposed. These negotiations are complex,
especially given that the contract has been frozen for five years, plus an additional year, following cuts prior to the freeze. The government’s current budgetary pressures add to the difficulty.
At this stage, we have no clear insights into what will happen regarding the Pharmacy First Service, incentive payments, targets, or the bundling of services from April 2025. The previous
government intended to move in this direction, and we believe the Labour government is likely to follow through on these plans.
There is also a possibility that the Pharmacy First Service may be extended to include treatments for conjunctivitis, adult ear infections, other skin infections, and possibly chest infections. Stronger guidance, along with potential incentives or penalties for
surgeries not engaging with the Pharmacy First Service, is also anticipated, which we would welcome.
We expect the bundling of services to secure the £1,000 payment —assuming it continues — to remain in place.
We are writing to remind members of this situation and encourage a
review of the services currently offered. Any services not yet provided could pose challenges for incentive payments in the future. We strongly recommend that all members actively deliver the Pharmacy First Service, the Contraception Service, and the Blood Pressure Service.
Please take the time to assess your current position on these services and make necessary adjustments to
ensure compliance and readiness for potential changes.
