Talks start on financial elements of new pharmacy contract
Negotiations between the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee and the Department of Health on financial elements of the planned new pharmacy contract have started.
“We have received an offer and are in discussions with the DoH
about that offer and about the basis of how they have used evidence from
the joint
cost inquiry and our fair return calculations,” said Sue Sharpe,
PSNC chief executive.
Speaking after the PSNC’s 14 July meeting, Mrs Sharpe said that
the committee had asked for an early answer from the DoH and that a special
meeting in August would be held to consider the response. She added: “This
[offer] is very good news. We wanted to be in negotiations and dialogue.
We are now.”
Possible implementation dates are 1 January 2005 and 1 April 2005. Although
not ruling out 1 January, Mrs Sharpe said that it would require a quick
agreement to leave enough time for the preparation of information packs
and roadshows in November to present the deal to contractors before a
ballot. She thought it unlikely that the DoH would push for implementation
before contractors had a chance to vote.
Howard Stoate, chairman of the All-Party Pharmacy Group, said that he
hoped the offer would form the basis of successful negotiations. He added: “Our
group will continue to monitor progress closely over the coming weeks
and months. We expect to revisit the subject of the pharmacy contract
again before its implementation.” |
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