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Negotiating body Community Pharmacy Wales has announced a “short levy holiday” for its contractor base in recognition of the “sustained pressure” on their finances.

Announcing the decision last week, CPW said its board had agreed to suspend levy payments scheduled for October 1, October 30 and December 1.

CPW said: “The decision has been taken in recognition of the serious financial challenges facing the community pharmacy sector.

“The board is acutely aware of the sustained pressure on contractors’ finances and the difficult operating environment confronting pharmacies across Wales.”

The negotiator acknowledged that “in real financial terms” the benefit “will be modest,” explaining that the decision had been taken “in the spirit that every little helps” and was “the least CPW can do to demonstrate practical support”.

A recent contractor survey carried out by CPW found that 63 per cent of 154 respondents had seen their financial position worsen in the last 12 months, with 29 per cent struggling to pay wholesaler bills and 49 per cent “not confident their pharmacy would remain financially viable over the next 12 months”. 

The organisation said it would “continue to raise awareness of the pressures affecting the network and to advocate for the support and investment needed to protect patient access to medicines and care”.