Community pharmacies in Wales get 6% funding increase

The Welsh government has reached an agreement with the NHS and Community Pharmacy Wales (CPW)—the statutory representative body for all community
pharmacies—on a six per cent funding increase as part of the 2024/25 Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF).

The £9.9 million increase will bring the total CPCF funding to £175 million per year, representing a 24 per cent rise in funding since 2017.

In a statement published on 20 December 2024, Jeremy Miles, cabinet secretary for health and social care, said that the additional investment will be used
to address “both immediate pressures facing community pharmacies and to maintain momentum on our longer-term ambitions for reform.”

Miles also said that the government would continue to invest in integrating pharmacies in primary care clusters, developing the skills and scope of practice
of the wider community pharmacy workforce including pharmacy technicians, and the Choose Pharmacy IT system.

In contrast, community pharmacies in England are still awaiting progress on CPCF negotiations for 2024/25.

Last month, Community Pharmacy England (CPE) warned of the sector’s worsening financial situation, urging ministers to provide immediate funding relief.