The RPS has warned that the 6 per cent funding cut for 2016 announced yesterday by the Government will have a "substantial impact" on pharmacy business owners, their employees and locums. 

Chair of the English Pharmacy Board, Sandra Gidley, commented: "This news will make community pharmacists feel completely undervalued, at a time when we are all working incredibly hard. The English Board believes that any cut to community pharmacy, and primary care generally, is short sighted if the Government is committed to its stated aim of investing in primary care and prevention of ill health."

Ms Gidley points out that the Government has indicated that there will be investment in a 'Pharmacy Integration Fund' to help transform how pharmacists and community pharmacy will operate in the NHS and a 'Pharmacy Access Fund' to ensure local communities, especially rural and deprived areas, have good access to community pharmacy.

"We welcome both of these initiatives and will be playing our part in ensuring both are adequately funded and effectively implemented."

"It is clear that the Government wants something different from the sector," she continued. "If we choose to provide no answers to the questions we are asked then others will make decisions about our future."

The days of secret negotiations between community pharmacy and Government are over, she claimed, "something I welcome wholeheartedly".

"For the first time the RPS will have a substantial role in providing a voice for those employees and locums who have felt completely disenfranchised by the current community pharmacy negotiating arrangements."

More details about this would be announced in the new year, she said.