Source · Select Committees · Health and Social Care Committee
Recommendation 2
2
Deferred
Overhaul the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework to address funding gaps and reduce complexity.
Recommendation
We recommend that the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF) is completely overhauled, in close consultation with the community pharmacy sector. Any new framework must: a) close the gap in funding that community pharmacy has experienced over the course of the current CPCF; b) focus on reducing complexity and ensure pharmacy owners can clearly understand and predict their cash flow, including de-risking the purchasing price of medicines; c) ensure funding is explicitly available for both dispensing services and clinical services, to avoid the current situation where one activity pays for another, to the detriment of both d) include the capacity for flexibility in the event of increased demand, greater activity or inflationary pressures, for example through indexation. (Paragraph 20) Medicine Shortages
Government Response Summary
The government's response focused on Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) as a tool to manage medicine shortages, explaining their use and stating that the policy will continue to be kept under review. It did not address the recommendation to completely overhaul the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) are a tool to manage and mitigate medicine and medical devices shortages. An SSP enables community pharmacists to supply a specified medicine or device in accordance with a protocol rather than a prescription, with the patient’s consent and without needing to seek authorisation from the prescriber. An SSP is only used in the case of a serious shortage if, in the opinion of Ministers, it would help manage the supply situation and if clinicians advising Ministers think it is appropriate. Protocols are developed with input from expert clinicians but are only considered in exceptional circumstances. This work is overseen by the Medicines Shortage Response Group (MSRG). The administrative burden on pharmacy contractors of SSPs is balanced with the need to find an alternative way of dealing with the shortage each time an SSP is developed. An assessment of the Serious Shortage Protocol policy was conducted and published in May 2021, which found that the protocols were generally well received by stakeholders and had benefits for managing medicine shortages. Officials in the Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC) will continue to keep this policy under review, including considering their timing and administrative burden.