The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 278 No 7449 p476
28 April 2007

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News summary

PCC issues contract compliance guide

Updated advice to primary care trusts on checking the compliance of community pharmacies with the pharmacy contract has been issued by NHS Primary Care Contracting.

The revised Community Pharmacy Assurance Framework has been produced in conjunction with the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee and other relevant groups in the light of experience of the first two years of the contract.

Use of the CPAF is not mandatory, but NHS PCC hopes that PCTs will use it and has asked for people to offer comments and suggestions that can be used to refine it further during April and May. In particular, it wants views and comments on:

• How standards for better health fit within the CPAF

• The amalgamation of a pre-visit questionnaire into the framework

• Ease of use and suggested improvements

• Any additional documentation

• Suggested amendments to either the CPAF or to strategic commissioning tests

An updated pharmaceutical needs assessment toolkit is expected early in June.