| Weekly News Digest - 25th September 2025 |
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Community Pharmacy Thames Valley Academy are holding a workshop on Thursday, 9th October, 7-9pm at Holiday Inn, Reading South.
The aim of the workshop is to:
✅enhance your practice and confidence in delivering the EHC service
✅refresh your clinical knowledge, sharpen your consultation skills
✅stay up to date with the latest guidance.
Through real-life case scenarios and safeguarding tips, you’ll gain practical tools to support patients effectively, expand your professional impact, and contribute to improving access to vital sexual health services. Register your place here.
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| From October 2025, the Pharmacy First minimum activity requirement will include at least one ABPM consultation per month, in addition to existing criteria. Pharmacy owners who fail to meet this new ABPM requirement risk losing their threshold payment of up to £1,000—even if they meet their monthly cap. NHS England will confirm the launch of new clinical pathways and PGDs via the Primary Care Bulletin. IT system updates are scheduled overnight on 30 September 2025, with updated service documentation available on the NHS England website from 1 October. Please review the draft clinical pathways and PGDs by this date, and check the NHSBSA website for your current Pharmacy First cap. Click here. |
| From 29 October 2025, the PCS will expand to include oral emergency contraception (EC), and pharmacy technicians will be able to deliver the service. Updated PGDs and service specifications are already available in draft form on the NHSBSA website. If you do not wish to provide oral EC, you must de-register via the NHSBSA MYS portal by 29 September 2025. De-registering after 31 August may affect your eligibility for the Pharmacy Quality Scheme and result in Aspiration payments being reclaimed. To receive the Pharmacy First Clinical Pathways monthly payment from June 2025, ensure you’re signed up for both PCS and the Hypertension Case-Finding Service (excluding DSPs). Click here. |
| From 29 October 2025, the NMS will expand to include depression as a new eligible medication. Download the draft updated drug list and service specification from the NHSBSA website now to prepare. Consultation timings have also been clarified: Intervention should occur 7–14 days after recruitment, with Follow-up 14–21 days after Intervention (exceptions allowed). If you use an IT system for NMS records, check with your supplier to ensure updates are in place for the 29 October launch. Click here. |
| To support sites in delivering the South East Commissioning Hub has provided updated guidance and key resources. The Seasonal Vaccination Site Campaign Guide AW2025/2026 now includes essential actions required for service readiness. If your site has already completed these steps, please review the guide to ensure all requirements have been met. The onboarding and operational setup guide can be found on page 31 of the campaign guide, with a direct link for ease of access. Please read the relevant sections and service specification carefully and follow each step outlined to ensure full compliance and preparedness. |
NHS England’s annual Community Pharmacy Workforce Survey is now open. Pharmacy owners will receive emails from NHSBSA asking them to complete the mandatory online survey, reminder emails will follow in due course, where the survey has not been completed. The survey will closes on Friday 21st November 2025. |
| New NHS rules for hub and spoke dispensing were announced this week and will begin on 1 October 2025, alongside changes to the Human Medicines Regulations. These updates allow different pharmacy owners to work together using the hub and spoke model. To take part, spoke pharmacies must follow both the Human Medicines Regulations and the new NHS Terms of Service. Hub pharmacies also need to follow the regulations and may be affected by spoke pharmacies’ responsibilities. For full details, visit CPE Hub and Spoke Dispensing Update. |
DSPs: Service changes from 1st October 2025From 1 October 2025, DSP pharmacies will no longer be permitted to deliver Directed services (Advanced, National Enhanced, Enhanced) face-to-face at their premises. These services must be provided remotely or, if allowed by the specification, off-site. (COVID-19 and flu vaccinations are exempt and may continue face-to-face at DSP premises until 31 March 2026). See here for more information. |
Stoptober 2025 is here: “Let’s quit smoking together” This year’s campaign celebrates the power of community and highlights the wide range of support available to help smokers make a successful quit attempt. The Campaign Resource Centre is packed with ready-to-use materials—including toolkits and a full campaign calendar—to help you promote Stoptober and guide smokers toward the support they need to quit this October. |
| CPE’s Funding & Reimbursement Shorts series has just released a new video explaining how to sort and submit paper prescriptions. Click here. |
| Download the latest edition of the Healthwatch Oxfordshire newsletter. |
| Download the latest edition of the BOB Medicines Optimisation Bulletin. |
Monthly Deadline TrackerStay on top of your schedule with ease using our Monthly Deadline Tracker. This September endition is designed to keep you organized and help you meet your deadline effortlessly. |
| 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. |
Tune in to this week's podcast |
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FREE Virtual Outcomes Flu Vaccination Service 2025 Course
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| The Pharmacy Show returns to the NEC Birmingham on Sunday 12th and Monday 13th October, tickets are free to offering a free, UK-registered healthcare professionals and those in leadership roles within community pharmacy. Community Pharmacy England will be hosting an exhibition stand at # H55. CEO Janet Morrison is scheduled to deliver an update in the Keynote Theatre, and members of the policy team will be in sessions throughout both days. Register for your free ticket |
| We are very pleased to invite you to our very first Women’s Health Training Event, hosted by the LPC on 2nd November at the Holiday Inn, High Wycombe. This session will bring together expert voices from CPPE, Bucks Sexual Health, and other leading organisations to deliver bite-sized, impactful talks on key topics including HRT, Menopause, UTIs, PCOS, and Emergency Hormonal Contraception. The session will run from 10am to 2pm, the event includes coffee and light refreshments, making it the perfect blend of learning and networking. Spaces are limited—secure your spot today via the registration link and be part of shaping the future of women’s health in community pharmacy. |
| Community Pharmacy England is hosting a webinar on Thursday 9 October at 7.30pm to explain upcoming changes to the Pharmacy Contraception Service, including the addition of oral emergency contraception and pharmacy technician involvement. Alastair Buxton and David Onuoha will outline key updates and available resources ahead of the 29 October rollout. The session will be recorded for on-demand viewing. Book your place now – registration closes midday on 9 October. |
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