Work has begun in preparation for negotiations with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and NHS England for 2018/19 on pharmacy funding, PSNC has said. Plans will be shared with contractors “as soon as possible”, although details of any proposals are currently determined ‘confidential’ by DHSC.

PSNC’s work plan for 2018, agreed by the committee this month, states its primary objective for the year as “Develop proposals for a services-led contract for England and secure its adoption by DH and NHS England. Agree transitional changes to the CPCF with DH and NHS England.” A further objective is to “Develop and secure agreement to funding models that properly reward service provision and provide fair distribution, reducing volatility and unpredictability".

Speaking at a Westminster Health Forum seminar this week, considering ‘What now for pharmacy services?’, PSNC’s director of NHS services, Alistair Buxton, said that PSNC is planning to propose a ‘universal community pharmacy care framework’, with a view to starting to move away from item of service funding.

“Although the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and NHS England have not begun formal negotiations for 2018/19, PSNC has receive correspondence on some interim measures, and agreed its response. These included the future of the Pharmacy Access Scheme and the Quality Payments Scheme. Other correspondence related to the implementation of Phase 4 of the Electronic Prescription Service and the commissioning of the 2018/19 Community Pharmacy Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Advanced Service,” says PSNC on its website.