| Weekly News Digest - 2nd October 2025 |
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Join our Community Pharmacy Thames Valley Academy EHC 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.
There are a few spaces left - Don't miss out! Register your place today!
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COVID-19 BOOKING ISSUES - Confusion Causing Major Disruption in PharmaciesThank you for your continued patience and professionalism in managing the significant disruption caused by ineligible COVID-19 patients arriving for vaccination. We recognise that many patients booked expecting a COVID jab alongside their flu vaccination, due to misleading messaging from the NHS booking service. Under this season’s eligibility criteria, COVID-19 vaccinations are restricted to over-75s, care home residents, and immunosuppressed individuals. LPCs are fully aware of the impact this has had on pharmacy teams and are actively escalating the issue to ICBs for urgent review. |
From Wednesday 1st October 2025, several national services start as well as some of the service changes agreed in the 2025/26 CPCF settlement.
NEWSFLASH! PHARMACY FIRST BUNDLING UPDATE The requirement of one ABPM consultation has been delayed and will NOT be required from 1st October.
Following discussions between CPE and DHSC, pharmacies will still qualify for the threshold payment. The final versions of the updated Pharmacy First clinical pathways, protocol, and PGDs are now available. Pharmacy owners can begin using these updated documents immediately. To support you through this transition, we have provided a comprehensive guide—please review it to ensure you're ready for the transition. View the updates to the clinical pathways services.
Vaccination services: Pharmacies registered to provide the services, can start to provide the Childhood Flu Vaccination Service and COVID-19 Vaccination Service from 1st October. Vaccination of all eligible groups (in addition to pregnant women) for the 2025/26 Adult Flu Vaccination Service can also begin. 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. Please read the relevant sections and service specification carefully and follow each step outlined to ensure full compliance.
Directed services: Can no longer be provided from DSP premises Distance Selling Premises (DSP) pharmacies (Advanced, National Enhanced and Enhanced Services) face-to-face with the patient at the pharmacy premises from 1st October. Read FAQs. |
| From 29 October 2025, the NMS will expand to include depression as a new eligible medication. Visit the NHSBSA website for updated drug list and service specification. 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 launch. Subcontracting of NMS will no longer be permitted, with upcoming changes to Service Directions clarifying that only pharmacists employed by the pharmacy owner may provide NMS, and not via remote consultations from off-site locations. Click here. |
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. |
| Community Pharmacy England is making temporary changes to its committee to better represent the sector. Starting 1st November, the IPA will nominate two new members and gain appointment rights for the first time. One extra independent member will join, and the CCA will have one fewer seat. These changes will stay in place until the April 2027 elections. See here for more details. |
| Download the latest edition of the Frimley ICB prescribing newsletter. |
| 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. To help promote stoptober visit the Campaign Resource Centre. |
Monthly Deadline TrackerStay on top of your schedule with ease using our Monthly Deadline Tracker. This October edition is designed to keep you organized and help you meet your deadline effortlessly. |
| 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. 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. |
| New NHS rules for hub and spoke dispensing will take place 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. |
| 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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| 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. |
| Recording and slides of the SPS webinar on 24 September 2025 is now available. |
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