Community Pharmacy Funding: Falling Behind Inflation & Wage Increases Since 2019, community pharmacy funding in England has been frozen at £2.592 billion per year. But what if funding had kept pace with inflation and the rising National Minimum Wage (NMW)? The Reality: If adjusted for both inflation and NMW increases, funding should have risen to £3.739 billion in 2025 and £3.9 billion for 2026. Instead, pharmacies continue to deliver more services with less funding, all while facing rising wages, medicine costs, and operational expenses. Why This Matters: Community pharmacies are the backbone of primary care access, managing prescriptions, urgent care, vaccinations, and clinical services, often filling gaps left by overstretched GP practices. Yet, with funding frozen for six years, pharmacies are being asked to do more for less. This is unsustainable and puts the future of vital services at risk. The Call to Action: It’s time for policymakers to recognise the economic reality and align pharmacy funding with real-world cost pressures. A sustainable funding model isn’t just about survival, it’s about ensuring patients continue to receive the care they deserve. @ComPharmEngland @DHSCgovuk @IPCNetwork @Pharmacist_News @ICPmagazine #CommunityPharmacy #PharmacyFunding #PrimaryCare #NHS #Healthcare #PharmacyCrisis

We now have to display a poster asking patients not to be abusive due to drug shortages. Unfortunately, some patients are getting worried & extremely aggressive thinking its our fault. More public information campaigns needed to educate patients that pharmacies aren’t responsible

These numbers single handedly display and prove that Community Pharmacies can support NHS & our GP’s. However, we need to emphasise & keep on highlighting financial pressures that contractors are facing, CPE needs to keep on fighting our corner. @ComPharmEngland @IPCNetwork