Alliance Healthcare disappointed by stagnant funding

One of the biggest pharmaceutical distributors in the UK and Europe, Alliance Healthcare, has articulated their overwhelming dissatisfaction regarding the Treasury’s denial for increasing funding for the CPCF (Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework).

The administration decided to continue the same level of financing for the CPCF, which currently sits at £2.592 billion. This means that the quantity of funding will have remained the same for three consecutive years.

The verdict came on the back of a rigorous phase of three-way consultations which continues for three months. They were held by the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC), NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSE&I) and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).

Managing Director at Alliance Healthcare, Julian Mount, explained that “Whilst we recognise that the PSNC tried its upmost for a funding uplift, this is no doubt a big disappointment for pharmacy contractors in England having remained open during the Covid-19 period to work for their local communities with an important, valuable & efficient pharmacy service.”

“Against a backdrop of having to submit claims for their extra Covid-19 costs, getting ready for a potential record-breaking flu vaccination programme, continued workforce pressures and increasing inflationary cost, going backwards in real terms for funding will be extremely challenging, and the future viability of the pharmacy network has already been highlighted many times.”

Mr Mount praised the new Hypertension Case-Finding Service and Smoking Cessation Service, specifically commending the fact that costs for the former Service will be subsidised separately from the £2.592 bn.
“As the largest independent wholesaler in the UK, my team across Alliance Healthcare, especially the Alphega UK team, will do all we can to support community pharmacies in England to deliver the two New Advanced Services. We will continue to do what we can to highlight the important role community pharmacies play in the fabric of the NHS primary care team”.