Fees and allowances for pharmacy contractors in England will remain unchanged from April as part of an interim arrangement, it has been announced.

This has been agreed by PSNC and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) pending the start of “substantive” funding negotiations for 2018/19.

For now, funding levels will be maintained at the 2017/18 level, with no changes to the Single Activity Fee (SAF), Establishment Payments or Pharmacy Access Scheme (PhAS) payments.

However, NHS England is making two changes to the gateway criteria for quality payments. Opening hours on NHS Choices must include bank holidays and the requirement for the pharmacy to be able to send and receive NHSmail should be from a shared NHSmail account.

NHS England has confirmed that the Community Pharmacy Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Advanced service will be re-commissioned for 2018/19.

The interim arrangements have been put in place because the parties are not yet in a position to begin formal negotiations for 2018/19. The Court of Appeal is expected to give its decision in May regarding PSNC's judicial review case against the funding cuts.

PSNC chief executive Sue Sharpe commented: “We hope to commence negotiations with the NHS for 2018/19 community pharmacy funding very shortly, and we hope this will include discussion on PSNC’s proposals for the development of community pharmacy services.

“Community pharmacy contractors are under enormous financial pressure at the moment and PSNC’s priority in the negotiations will be to seek the best financial result possible for all community pharmacy contractors. Our objective will be to agree arrangements that will safeguard the future of this invaluable network of healthcare providers.”