MS, Cabinet Secretary for
Health and Social Services: I am pleased to announce the Welsh
Government has reached an agreement with the NHS and Community
Pharmacy Wales on the terms of the Community Pharmacy Contractual
Framework (CPCF) for 2025-26. This includes arrangements for
distributing a 4% increase to the total funding payable to the
sector this year.
Remuneration for community pharmacy falls outside the scope of
the NHS Doctors and Dentists Review Body
(DDRB) recommendations, however, we previously committed to a
fair and proportionate pay uplift across primary care,
covering community pharmacies, NHS optometrists, all staff
working in general practice and NHS dental services, in
recognition of the vital role they play in delivering essential
services to people throughout Wales.
The 4% increase in the community pharmacy contract, which equates
to an additional £7m this year, will see the value of CPCF fees
and allowances rise to £182m – an increase of nearly 30% since
2016-17.
This record level of investment recognises the role community
pharmacies play and rewards the effort and dedication of
community pharmacy teams. The measures agreed as part of this
funding package will help ensure the NHS maximises the use of the
skills and expertise of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and the
wider pharmacy team in every community in Wales.
The investment will help to address the immediate challenges
facing community pharmacies, while continuing to support progress
towards our longer-term ambitions for reform, which are outlined
in Presgripsiwn Newydd - A New
Prescription.
