CPE asks for ‘inputs’ on winter pressure from independents and non-CCA

Community pharmacy owners to share their views in the new survey

Community Pharmacy England (CPE) is seeking views from all community pharmacy owners about the pressures faced this autumn season.

A survey has been launched as the “November Pre-Committee Opinion Poll” until 6 November to seek views from independents and non-Company Chemists’ Association (CCA) members.

The results of the poll will be sent to the head offices of CCA multiples next week for discussion at the November Committee Meeting.

CPE confirmed: "The results of these polls and the outcomes of the meeting will be reported back to the sector afterwards.

They said that the survey "will be used to feed into our ongoing work to press for an uplift to core funding by enhancing our evidence base of what pharmacy owners are experiencing."

"This and future surveys will also increase the amount of data we have for use in our campaigning and influencing work,” CPE added.

The Committee meeting will discuss progress in negotiations, focusing on the 2024-2025 Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF) and the future strategy for Community Pharmacy England.

It is guided by the recently published Vision for Community Pharmacy report by The King's Fund and the Nuffield Trust.

“This new approach to engagement aims to help us to build stronger relationships with pharmacy owners by improving how we engage with the sector and listening to pharmacy’s views better,” CPE further added.

The community pharmacies have been facing unsustainable pressures through the autumn period.

In the statement, CPE also assures that they are also tracking the financial pressures on community pharmacies.