Opinions from pharmacy owners and LPCs across the country are being compiled, alongside inputs from national pharmacy organisations and results from ongoing sector polling, to inform Community Pharmacy England Committee discussions on negotiating priorities for 2026/27.

The Committee will consider all inputs, alongside Community Pharmacy England’s own analysis, to inform positioning and objectives for the upcoming negotiations.

Over the past month, we sat down with pharmacy owners around the country at nine regional workshops to listen to their insights, frustrations, and ideas to shape the future direction of the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF). This was an important exercise following publication of the 10-Year Health Plan for England and ahead of CPCF negotiations for 2026/27.

The workshops, which brought together pharmacy owners from each region, highlighted a wide range of opinions on how existing and potential future funding should be allocated, with groups debating the differing paths the sector could take.

Meanwhile, in corresponding meetings, LPCs led important discussions on practical and operational issues for the local pharmacy network.

The workshop events were well-received – particularly the opportunity for peer discussion and problem-solving – with 99% of attendees saying they were likely or very likely to recommend to others. As well as having time to chat openly with members of the team and Committee Members, exercises on funding allocation and service priorities gave pharmacy owners a greater understanding of the challenges that Community Pharmacy England faces in negotiating the CPCF with Government.

The regional workshops have provided valuable insight into the challenges facing community pharmacy and the priorities of those working on the front line.

Alongside the workshops, Community Pharmacy England wrote to the Company Chemists’ Association, the Independent Pharmacies Association, and the National Pharmacy Association seeking their input ahead of the next negotiations.

Pharmacy owners’ feedback is already informing thinking and Community Pharmacy England will review priorities as a Committee to determine the best way to further leverage community pharmacy’s position in line with our wider strategy for the sector. Community Pharmacy England is committed to pushing for a CPCF that reflects pharmacy owners’ needs, supports businesses, and secures the future of community pharmacy.

If you were unable to attend one of our events, there is still time to have your say on the future of the CPCF in our summer polling:

Future CPCF: What’s most important to you?

You can also download a copy of the slides from the events, which includes updates on the 2025/26 settlement and the NHS 10-Year Plan, here:

Regional Events PowerPoint slides

Janet Morrison, Chief Executive of Community Pharmacy England, said:

“It’s been really beneficial to have the opportunity to hear from so many pharmacy owners across the country, and holding these workshops was particularly important as we approach the next round of negotiations.

There is a huge amount of work that goes on in laying the groundwork for those discussions with Government, long before we enter the negotiating room. Undertaking extensive economic modelling, identifying the most pressing needs and determining red lines are all key parts of this. What we were told at recent events – alongside input from other sector bodies, our regular polling and the Committee’s own analysis – will all now be used to inform our positioning and objectives for the negotiations.

At the events, the team listened in to the discussions which reflected the wide diversity of views in the sector and that the Committee also has to reconcile in its deliberations. Involving pharmacy owners in some of these tricky decisions and trade-offs has not only been a really useful way to understand their preferences but was also an eye opener for many on the difficult choices we face.

Thank you to everyone who attended, and please do also take part in our latest polling on the future CPCF to make sure we know what’s important for your pharmacy business.”

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