Henry Gregg, Chief Executive of the National Pharmacy Association said:
"It’s good news the Government has started consultations on pharmacy funding for the next financial year, because our members face a cliff edge of rising costs due to arrive in April, including spiralling business rates, increasing prescription volumes and unprecedented volatility in the wholesale medicine market.
"That adds up to unavoidable cost increases way above the headline rate of inflation, and the clock is ticking to help pharmacies manage this.
"We’ve made it very clear to Government and CPE that we’re looking for a financial uplift that not only covers costs but also makes progress towards bridging the £2.6bn gap between funding and the cost of providing NHS care.
"Pharmacies can help deliver a transformative expansion of clinical services, incorporating independent prescribing, provided that is based on fresh investment and does not eat into the money needed to sustain a functioning medicines supply service.
"It’s clear to us that the current pharmacy contract is broken and requires fundamental reform.
"These priorities will help pharmacies implement the Government’s vision for improved community-based care – which we strongly support. We’re very happy to work with Ministers to make their priorities a reality and offer solutions that improve care for patients and help our members pay the bills."
