Source · Select Committees · Health and Social Care Committee
Recommendation 16
16
Deferred
Paragraph: 97
Medicine shortages reinforce public concerns about GP referrals from community pharmacies.
Conclusion
Public concerns about being referred back to the GP if they use community pharmacy to access healthcare should ring alarm bells for the Government. It is encouraging that this does not seem to be the experience within Pharmacy First, but we know that medicine shortages are driving people back to their GPs. We are concerned that this reinforces the public concerns.
Government Response Summary
The government stated that funding for the Additional Role Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) is under review as part of the 2025/26 GP contract arrangements, with final details to be published after the consultation concludes, rather than directly addressing public concerns about GP referrals or medicine shortages.
Paragraph Reference:
97
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
The Additional Role Reimbursement Scheme funding is currently under review as part of the consultation on the 2025/26 GP contract arrangements. Final arrangements will be published once the consultation has concluded.