More than 500 pharmacy contractors did not deliver the five Pharmacy First clinical pathway consultations needed to secure an upfront payment of £2,000, leaving the Government to claw back over £1 million in total from those pharmacies.

A freedom of information request to NHS Business Services Authority revealed 555 contractors submitted claims but missed the consultation target during February and March this year.

As part of the terms for Pharmacy First, agreed between Community Pharmacy England and the Conservative Government last year, pharmacy owners had to deliver a minimum of five clinical pathway consultations by March 31 to get the £2,000 fee.

In November last year, CPE warned owners who fail to do that would have to pay the money back.

NHSBSA said the “recovery of fees may not have taken place with all contractors at this time” and insisted the “process is ongoing”.

National Pharmacy Association chief executive Paul Rees told ICP: "We’ve been warning about issues with Pharmacy First thresholds for months now. Pharmacy First is a great idea with potential to do so much more, but it was always going to take time to expand, particularly during the summer when people are away and sore throats are less of an issue.

“Ministers need to support the rollout of Pharmacy First and acknowledge the huge amount of work pharmacies do to ease pressure on the NHS by giving advice and support, mostly for free.

“We need to move to a system where pharmacies are properly paid for the vital support they give to their communities, not subject to the ebb and flow of demand with the seasons.”

NHSBSA also published a list of pharmacy contractor codes for pharmacies that missed the target.

CPE has been asked to comment on the prospect that the Government will claw back over £1.1 million in total from contractors.

Information: NHSBSA Copyright 2024