COVID-19 related costs can be claimed by every community pharmacy contractor within England

The UK government has formed a deal with the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee, meaning that COVID-19 related costs can be claimed by every community pharmacy contractor within England during the period between March 1, 2020, and March 31 2021.

Despite this, as part of the deal, contractors will need to repay £370m advance payments received in 2020.

Under the deal, contractors can claim for IT and communication costs to support virtual patient contact and home working, additional staff costs owing to COVID-19, costs to make the premises COVID-19 secure, and notified closures for infection control purposes for a maximum of fourteen days.

Between July 5 and August 15, 2021, claims should be submitted to the NHS Business Services Authority, with payments due on October 1, 2021.