Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of the results of the Pharmacists’ Defence Association survey on preparedness of pharmacists for Pharmacy First, published on 15 January 2024.

Over 93% of community pharmacy contractors have signed up to deliver Pharmacy First when it launches on 31 January 2024.

A set-up fee will be paid to contractors that have signed up to recognise that they must ensure that pharmacists and pharmacy staff providing the service are competent to do so, which may involve training. Pharmacists and their teams will also need to familiarise themselves with the service specification, patient group directions and patient pathways, which have all been published. The fee structure that has been agreed with Community Pharmacy England recognises that both pharmacy teams and the public will build confidence in delivering and using the service over time.

In addition, Community Pharmacy England has developed a checklist and a range of support materials for both pharmacy owners and pharmacists, including locums, to help them get ready for the service. Contractors are supported by additional resources provided by the Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education to ensure participating pharmacists are clinically competent to deliver these services safely.