| Weekly News Digest - 5th June 2025 |
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No registration required, just use the link below to join the meeting on the evening. |
| NHS England has opened procurement for pharmacies to provide COVID-19 vaccinations from 1st October 2025. This applies to pharmacies not yet contracted for the service and those with contracts ending in August 2025. Pharmacies already contracted until 31st March 2026 do not need to re-apply. See here for further guidance and application details. |
| 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. With AI-generated clarity, we break down industry shifts to keep you informed and ahead. Stay connected, enhance your expertise, and dive into key pharmacy discussions—all in one place. Click here to start listening! |
| Pharmacists looking to expand their expertise can now apply for NHS England-funded independent prescribing courses. This initiative supports professionals, including community pharmacy, locums, and primary care—to gain prescribing qualifications. With courses available until March 2026, multiple universities are offering cohort intakes on different dates. Successful applicants will receive fully funded tuition, provided they meet the eligibility criteria. Click here. |
| Senior figures from Community Pharmacy England are heading to Crawley, near Gatwick, on the evening of Wednesday 23rd July to discuss pressing issues and plans for the future with local pharmacy owners (or their representatives). The ‘Future of Pharmacy’ workshop will explore the impact of the recent CPCF deal, ongoing issues, and possible tactics to try and win over policymakers. This is a great opportunity to get involved in preparations for the 2026/27 CPCF negotiations and work with the negotiators to map out a clearer way forward for the sector. Register here. |
CPE has published new guidance to help community pharmacy owners complete the Data Security and Protection Toolkit 2025. The declaration must be completed by 30th June 2025.
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| Download the latest edition of BOB Medicines Optimisation newsletter. |
| Patients can track their prescriptions as part of a new feature in the NHS App to help reduce unnecessary calls and visits to pharmacies. It enables patients to check on their prescriptions through real-time ‘Amazon-style’ updates. |
| Regulatory changes to community pharmacies, including DSPs and core opening hours, were laid before Parliament and will take effect on 23 June. The DSP market entry exemption will close, preventing new DSP applications from being accepted. See here for further information and details. |
NHS Frimley have provided updated contact information for urgent dental appointment providers. Click here.
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| Loneliness Awareness Week highlights the importance of connection and tackling isolation. This year's theme, Meeting Loneliness Together, encourages open conversations and collective action. Find resources on the Campaign Resource Centre and Better Health: Every Mind Matters to support young people in building meaningful connections. |
Stay ahead of the 2025/26 PQS deadlines with the PQS Deadline Tracker—a useful tool for staying organised and on schedule. It will help you track important milestones, ensuring you meet deadlines without the stress.
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| Pharmacy owners should be aware that in 2025/26, the Pharmacy First caps will be updated monthly. Pharmacy owners can refer to the lists published monthly by NHSBSA to see their band placements and caps. Please note, the claim window will be reduced to one month. This means that Pharmacy First consultations carried out in March, April and May 2025 must be claimed by 11.59pm on 30th June 2025 to receive payment. See here for more information on Pharmacy First FAQs and Pharmacy First bundling FAQs. |
| Declarations must be submitted via the Manage Your Service (MYS) portal, and prescription bundles must be dispatched to the NHSBSA by the 5th of the following month (or by the 6th if a bank holiday falls within the first five days). Late submissions result in delayed advance payments, following the standard timetable, and may incur a £25 administrative charge for delayed prescription bundles. See here for more information. |
| Please complete your NHS Profile Manager before deadline 30th June 2025. This is a mandatory requirement for all pharmacy owners. Useful NHS Profile Manager Tutorials are available here. |
Pharmacy professionals, are you ready to expand your services and impact patient care? Join us on Wednesday, 26th June, 7:30pm - 8:30pm, for a comprehensive webinar hosted by Clare Holland, a pharmacist with extensive experience in Community Pharmacy. This interactive session will explore:
- Clinical insights into initiation & continuation of contraception
- Service delivery essentials, including formulary & PGDs Strategies to successfully implement the service within your pharmacy
- Ways to identify potential patients in your pharmacy setting
- Opportunities to collaborate with GP surgeries for seamless care
Don't miss this valuable opportunity to gain knowledge, ask questions, and implement this crucial service with confidence.
📅 No registration required, join the meeting using this👉 link. |
| The launch of the Community Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship Programme 2025 is designed to support Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technicians (PTPTs) as they complete their 24-month apprenticeship within a community pharmacy setting. This initiative provides a funding contribution of £15,053 per trainee, per year for two years. Applications for funding are open until Sunday 15 June 2025 via an online expression of interest form. See here for more information. |
| CPPE is offering more NHS Pharmacy First: Clinical Assessment and Examination Skills full-day workshops. Led by a medical tutor, a clinical demonstrator, and the CPPE team, this interactive session sharpens history-taking, red flag identification, and person-centred assessment skills, with hands-on practice in ear, nose, and throat examinations. Book your place this Sunday, 8th June 2025, at The Holiday Inn, Reading South (RG2 0SL), from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm. Refreshments from 9:00 am, lunch provided. See here for booking details. Note: Those who attended the Ear, Nose and Throat Examination workshop cannot book this session. |
| The LPC subscribes to the Virtual Outcomes training platform, granting our pharmacies access to an array of online training resources. To get started, simply enter your ODS Code using the link below. |
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