PSNC says its main objective for the year ahead is to develop proposals for a services-led contract for England and to secure its adoption by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and NHS England.

A further objective is to “develop and secure agreement to funding models that properly reward service provision and provide fair distribution, reducing volatility and unpredictability”. The contractors’ body is proposing a ’universal community pharmacy care framework’, with a view to moving away from item of service funding.

Although formal negotiations for 2018/19 have not begun with the DHSC and NHS England, correspondence has been exchanged on some interim measures including the future of the Pharmacy Access Scheme and the Quality Payments Scheme.

There has also been correspondence relating to implementing phase 4 of the electronic prescription service and commissioning the 2018/19 community pharmacy seasonal influenza vaccination service.