This site is intended for Healthcare Professionals only

Only 6 essential pharmacies given long NHS contracts

News bookmark icon off

Only 6 essential pharmacies given long NHS contracts

The National Pharmacy Association has revealed via a freedom of information request that currently only six essential small pharmacies have so far been guaranteed long term contracts with the local NHS.

This news comes three months after the end of the previous EPS LPS scheme.

Currently, 29 have transferred to the pharmaceutical list with no proposal made to NHS England for a new LPS arrangement, five have transferred to the pharmaceutical list following a rejection by NHS England of an LPS arrangement and 48 are currently in discussion with NHS England about a new LPS arrangement, but no arrangement has been agreed.

“48 pharmacies are currently in limbo, with NHS England having failed to give them a decision, leaving them with little scope to plan for their future. Many more have only short-term arrangements in place. NHSE needs to move much more quickly to secure the future of these services,” said NPA’s head of communications, Stephen Fishwick.

“The vast majority of affected pharmacies are independents and therefore NPA members. Naturally, we are very concerned about the potential impact on our members and the communities that they serve.”

Nine pharmacies in total have a short-term LPS arrangement of less than 12 months, while five have arrangements for less than 24 months and only six have a contract in place for longer than 24 months.

“We have offered our support to all affected pharmacies in NPA membership and made a range of resources available to them. This includes materials to mobilise the local community as advocates for the pharmacy, should that be necessary”.

The NPA is reminding any NPA Member in need of support to email independentsvoice@npa.co.uk

Copy Link copy link button

News

Share: