Pharmacy Magazine Podcast – Talking Pharmacy 2026, Episode 6

Ross, what stood out for you?

I think the thing that stood out most is the, well, we're going to talk about this a lot probably, aren't we? The independent prescribing that has been introduced into the contract, um, which everyone is pretty much disappointed about.

So that stood out the most for me, just in terms of the money associated with it, but also the scope of it as well.

So, um, the way it's been explained, it doesn't sound like it's going to be normal independent prescribing.

So, um, yeah, so it's very limited, very disappointing, I think, from that perspective.

But it's in there, I guess.

Not normal independent prescribing.

That's interesting.

Uh, yeah, we will come back to prescribing, a, a key element of the deal, of course, but, uh, with some serious caveats.

Neil, you've reported extensively, uh, on the agreement over the past week or so.

What has the reaction been on the part of contractors?

Well, not overwhelmed or, uh, with excitement really.

I mean, particularly the prescribing aspect of it that Ross has just talked about.

Um, the lack of scope, um, and of course the lack of funding behind it are, are two things.

Um, are they in danger of, or at risk of missing a golden opportunity here with, um, with, with prescribing? 'Cause we know the, where it could possibly go.

Um, but then again, that's, might be a bit unfair because there are a lot of...

It's, it's not a simple thing just to sort of shove in there and say, "Right, off we go on this journey." There are things that need to be put in place, um, which, um, uh, I guess I can come back to a bit later, um, you know, in a bit more detail.

But just briefly, uh, not, not... [laughs] The feedback I've got ha- has- hasn't been, um, one of great optimism and great, you know, delight at the deal.

It's, it's a kind of, "Huh, okay.

Really?"

Arthur, what about the money side of things, the, the funding uplift and the margin changes and things like that? What, what did you make of it?

Well, the reaction I've seen from most contractors is a kind of shrug.

Uh, you know, is this 10% uplift gonna be enough to, to help keep the lights on or not? I think the general view is that it's about sort of keeping pace with, uh, just about sort of keeping pace with annual inflation, which, you know, unfortunately is keeping you at a standstill at a point where things are already extremely difficult.

I think the best thing to say about it is that there are, you know, for once, uh, there are not kind of, there seem to be few onerous strings attached to this new money.

It's kind of being pumped into the, the bread and butter, the dispensing, uh, rather than the prescribing.