| Weekly News Digest - 15th October 2026 |
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Respiratory Clinical assessment skills full day face-to-face workshop - 8th November, 10-5pm CIM Business Centre, Cookham, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 9QHCPTV in collaboration with CPPE will be running an interactive workshop designed to equip pharmacy professionals with the essential clinical history-taking and respiratory examination skills needed to assess patients presenting with respiratory symptoms. Led by experienced GPs, this practical workshop combines expert teaching with realistic clinical scenarios to help you apply your learning confidently in practice. See here for full details. Spaces are limited - reserve yours now! |
Changes to the Pharmaceutical Regulations – Closures for learning and developmentTraining & Development Closures – New Arrangements from October 2026 From 1 October 2026, pharmacies can close for up to four hours each month during core opening hours for staff training and development without making up the time, subject to meeting specific conditions. Pharmacies in South East England must notify the ICB in advance if they wish to use this provision. For full eligibility criteria and notification details, please visit our website. |
| Levemir products will be discontinued from December 2026. Patients currently prescribed Levemir should be switched to a suitable alternative before this date. When dispensing Levermir prescriptions, pharmacy teams are encouraged to remind patients to contact their prescriber as soon as possible to discuss an alternative insulin, rather than waiting until supply ends. CPE guidance. |
NHSE and CPPE have launched a pilot into the education and training pathway available for newly qualified independent prescribers working in community pharmacy to support pharmacists in developing the confidence and competence required for independent prescribing practice. Register here: Pharmacist Enhanced Practice Pathway
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NHS community pharmacy prescribing information now availableResources to support NHS community pharmacy prescribing, including the Professional Assurance Framework and final draft Prescription Management Guidance, are now available on the NHSBSA website. The new Part VIF of the Drug Tariff has also been published, detailing prescribing-related payments. Further guidance for prescribing in clinical services will be issued in due course via NHSBSA and Integrated Care Boards (ICBs).
CPE have produced FAQs on the conditions applying to Independent prescribing within the CPCF - see here. |
| Download the latest edition of the Healthwatch Oxfordshire Newsletter. |
Healthwatch West Berkshire and West Berkshire Council are inviting residents to join upcoming Community Conversations events and help shape healthier, more connected neighbourhoods across West Berkshire. These public events are an opportunity for local people to share their views and influence future health, care and community support services. We would be grateful if you could share the attached poster with your members, volunteers, staff and wider networks, particularly among communities whose voices are often underrepresented. |
Mandatory National Health Campaigns 2026/27Community pharmacy contractors must deliver two national health campaigns this year. Respect for Pharmacy Teams running 5–25 October 2026, see here for resources. Pharmacy First Promotion running 1–21 February 2027, communications materials are available on the DHSC Campaign Resource Centre .
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The Community Pharmacy Workforce Survey 2026 is now open. Pharmacy contractors completing the survey online have until 11.59pm on Saturday 14 November 2026 to submit their workforce data. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) require all community pharmacy contractors to complete the survey. For help with submissions, contact the NHSBSA at: pharmacysupport@nhsbsa.nhs.uk. More information about the survey is available on NHS England's website.
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Stay informed with the Pharmacy Academy podcast channel, a great source for weekly updates on essential pharmacy topics, powered by insights from NHS, CPE, and PGD guidance and AI generated for clarity. Stay connected, enhance your expertise, and dive into key pharmacy discussions—all in one place.
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PrescQIPP are running two FREE multi-professional courses delivering practical, evidence-based training to develop confident and capable educational and prescribing supervisors. See the course flyer and complete the Expressions of Interest form if you would like to enrol yourself or individuals from your organisation onto the courses.
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Community Pharmacy England will be hosting a webinar to outline the current and upcoming community pharmacy regulatory changes. The session will include the upcoming changes to Authorisation and Supervision, recent NHS regulatory changes and more. Please register here. |
| Join CGL for an overview of Bucks Youth Drug and Alcohol Support Service (YDAS) on Friday, 30th October from 3-4.30pm. Learn about the support offered, referral pathways, and how to work in partnership to support young people and families across Buckinghamshire. Register here. |
CPE are running a session which explores how effective local engagement can help build support for community pharmacy and strengthen national influencing activity. Our experts will share practical tips on engaging MPs, arranging pharmacy visits, and how to communicate key messages for the sector. Book here. |
| Join this free one-hour online Lunch & Learn session on Thursday 12 November 2026, 12.00pm to 1.00pm, designed for professionals who work with young people. The session will provide an introductory overview of ketamine, including what it is and how it works, the potential risks and harms, how to recognise possible indicators of use, and available support and referral pathways. Suitable for professionals across education, health, youth work, social care, safeguarding, family support and other services, this practical session aims to help attendees feel more informed and confident when substance-related issues arise in their work. To register, please click the link. |
Join this webinar on Tuesday 17 November 2026, 1-2pm to hear how a neighbourhood warfarin clinic was developed through the NHS Community Pharmacy Independent Prescribing Pathfinder Programme. Speakers will share lessons learned, implementation challenges, patient benefits and how ongoing funding was secured. Suitable for community pharmacists, ICB commissioning leads and others interested in collaborative service development. Register online for full details. |
Confident Consultations in Contraception Series: Navigating POP and CHCsGedeon Richter are holding a promotional National educational virtual meeting on Thursday, 22nd October 2026, presented by Dr Maryam Nasri- MD MRCGP FCSRH. Community Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare. If you would like to attend the event contact details belo: Lisa Chard Primary Account Manager 07801 994 468 chardl@gedeonrichter.com |
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