Insight Online – January 2024

Frontline pharmacists’ concerns about Pharmacy First implementation shared with DHSC and NHS England officials
 

We have ensured that the Chief Pharmaceutical Officer for England and senior DHSC civil servants have heard the views of employed and locum pharmacists on how the Pharmacy First Service (PFS) is being introduced.

NHS England and Community Pharmacy England agreed the terms for the introduction of PFS to commence on 31 January 2024. However, these discussions did not invite the views of those pharmacists at the coal face as collectively represented by us. In response to feedback from members, we conducted a survey to understand the reality of the sector’s preparedness for the introduction of the scheme.

Locum tax status enquiry update

The HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) began an enquiry into the tax status of locums engaged in community pharmacy in 2019. In August 2023, the HMRC wrote to all affected community pharmacies setting out their intended approach to compliance enquiries for the tax years ending 6 April 2023 and prior years.

The HMRC review began before the Covid-19 pandemic. There has always been a possibility that the outcome would be that the HMRC would conclude that the way community pharmacy businesses engage locums could indicate they should be treated as employees for taxation purposes.

PDA Chairman gives evidence to the Commons Health and Social Care Committee

We welcomed the opportunity to give evidence to the influential Health and Social Care Committee as part of its inquiry into pharmacy.

Following on from written evidence previously submitted to the select committee, PDA Chairman Mark Koziol was able to provide comments on issues such as the state of morale among the pharmacist profession, what could be achieved through better commissioning arrangements, ideas around the future regulation of premises and professionals, and how pharmacists skills could make a significant contribution to patient care if more focused on medicines.

We will publish the supplementary evidence in due course. In the meantime, if you missed the session you can view it here.

Submit your abstract to the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP)

Are you working on an exciting project in the field of pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences, or pharmacy education? Submit your abstract for the FIP world congress by Friday 15 March for a chance to present your work next September in Cape Town, South Africa. Click here to submit.

If this is your first time submitting an abstract for the FIP congress, check these useful guidelines and tips to increase your chance of acceptance.