October implementation of new pharmacy contract seems unlikely
October implementation of the new community pharmacy contract in England has been effectively blocked by the Department of Health. Unless the DoH dramatically changes its position in negotiations over funding this week then it is likely that implementation will be delayed.
The DoH made its opening position on funding the new contract on 7 May,
a position that the Pharmaceutical
Services Negotiating Committee has
rejected as “wholly unrealistic”. Sue Sharpe, chief executive,
PSNC, said that the result of this is that the negotiating process looks
set to be lengthy. “We do not believe that the DoH could ever have
thought that this offer was anywhere near a credible position,” she
commented. She was not prepared to divulge the details of the offer.
The PSNC and DoH were due to meet this week, after The Journal went to
press. “By the end of this week, we will know whether we are still
looking at an October contract or if the DoH is walking away from it,” said
Mrs Sharpe. “If we are not near agreement by then, I simply do
not see how we can get the discussions on distribution completed, hold
the roadshows and get the ballot out before everyone goes on holiday
in the summer.” She added: “We are extremely concerned that
delays by the DoH mean that we are no longer working to an October timetable.”
Asked why the opening offer was so low and whether or not the new contract
was still scheduled for October, a DoH spokesman said: “We want
to negotiate a deal which is fair for pharmacists, patients, taxpayers
and fair for the NHS. We want to make best use of the skills of community
pharmacists and their staff in delivering modern NHS services for patients.” He
added: “We are still negotiating with the PSNC and it is therefore
not appropriate to comment further at this stage, but we want to implement
the new contractual framework as soon as is practicable.”
A delay in implementation of the new contract could bring further complications
since announcements on control of entry and generics are expected to
be made alongside the new contract. “It is possible that new control
of entry regulations could be introduced separately from the new contract
and officials clearly wanted to get moving on generics,” commented
Mrs Sharpe. However, she suggested that contractors will not be able
to weather significant changes to income from generics unless changes
to income are made elsewhere.
She added that contractors who were currently refitting their premises
in preparation for the new contract were not wasting their money. “The
future of community pharmacy services has to be in developing capacity
and providing one-to-one advice and support for patients,” Mrs
Sharpe said. “I am still optimistic about the new contract; my
concern is with the timescale,” she said.
The National Pharmaceutical Association said that it was disappointed
and frustrated to hear that the DoH had made an unrealistic opening offer.
Ash Soni, NPA chairman, commented: “It would appear that the Government
is walking away from its stated commitment. This is a totally unacceptable
state of affairs.” |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal
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