Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with the Chief Executive of NHS England on funding being made available in the next Comprehensive Spending Review to ensure the economic viability of independent pharmacies.

We are carefully considering the findings of the report on independent pharmacy in England and any implications for National Health Service arrangements under the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework. As part of the 2020 Comprehensive Spending Review, funding for community pharmacy is being discussed, including with the Chief Executive Officer of the NHS in England.