NPA study to show impact of frozen funding on pharmacy’s ability to deliver for NHS

The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has commissioned global consultancy firm EY to conduct an economic impact assessment of the community pharmacy funding and policy framework in England.

An expert team from EY will assess the robustness of the pharmacy market and consider how far restricted funding and the broader economic environment may impact on efforts to achieve NHS objectives.

Literature searches, interviews with stakeholders and a comprehensive survey of NPA members will highlight current pressure points and the impact of foreseeable changes in funding and costs. EY will also explore what all this means for General Practice, hospitals, patients and wider society.

The NPA expects to obtain telling evidence about the capacity of the pharmacy sector to deliver on NHS objectives, in the context of current flat funding.

Speaking at the Sigma Pharmaceuticals conference today, the NPA’s Acting Chairman, Andrew Lane, said:

“It’s the NPA’s duty, as the voice of independent community pharmacy, to speak out passionately but also factually. Therefore we have secured the expert services of EY to deliver a detailed financial and operational analysis of the current and future position for independent pharmacies.

“Ministers and NHS officials say they want community pharmacies to be the first port of call for common illnesses, to help people stay well, to take on more clinical services and to relieve pressure on other parts of the system. This can only be achieved on a sustainable basis if resources match the level of ambition. Therefore, we hope they will welcome this economic study as a serious contribution to the evidence base that underpins the development of health & social care policy.”

PSNC, the NHS and DHSC have been informed about this project.  The work will be complete by June so that the analysis can be made available to them when they undertake their first annual review of funding under the five-year contractual settlement.