Community Pharmacy England (CPE) - News updates

A record number of price concessions – 204 – have now been announced for April, with further requests still being negotiated. This is the second consecutive month in which concessions have reached record highs, after 201 improved prices were announced for March. This is a concerning trend, reflecting fragility and instability in the medicines supply [...] The post Record concession numbers indicative of volatility in supply chain, warns CPE appeared first on Community Pharmacy England.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has today (30/04/2026) confirmed the following list of price concessions for April 2026. Community Pharmacy England has issued a statement in response: Record concession numbers indicative of volatility in supply chain, warns CPE. This list for April 2026 includes twelve further price concessions and improved prices for [...] The post April 2026 Price Concessions 5th update including improved prices appeared first on Community Pharmacy England.

Nasal decongestant sprays and drops containing xylometazoline hydrochloride / oxymetazoline hydrochloride: increased risk of rebound congestion, rhinitis medicamentosa, and tachyphylaxis with overuse. There have been reports of worsening nasal congestion (rebound congestion) when the effects of nasal decongestant sprays or drops containing xylometazoline hydrochloride and oxymetazoline hydrochloride, referred to hereafter as ‘xylometazoline’ and ‘oxymetazoline’, wear [...] The post MHRA Drug Safety Update: Nasal decongestant sprays and drops containing xylometazoline hydrochloride / oxymetazoline hydrochloride appeared first on Community Pharmacy England.

The mid-term election process for an ‘Independent regional representative’ for Community Pharmacy England’s East and North Midlands region begins next week. This follows Lindsey Fairbrother’s resignation from the Committee. Eligible pharmacists* who are Independent pharmacy owners and members or officers of one of the LPCs in the region are invited to stand for election as [...] The post Process announced for CPE East and North Midlands Regional Representative election appeared first on Community Pharmacy England.

Community Pharmacy England met in London for a full Committee meeting on 22nd and 23rd April. Despite significant efforts by all parties, negotiations on the arrangements for the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF) in 2026/27 have not yet concluded. Government requirements dictate that negotiations must remain confidential but, as pharmacy owners themselves, Committee Members know [...] The post Latest 2026/27 CPCF negotiations position scrutinised at April meeting appeared first on Community Pharmacy England.

Following representations from Community Pharmacy England, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has re-determined that the following products will be granted special container status from 1 May 2026. Generic drug name (dm+d descriptor) Brand and/or manufacturer Pack Size Special container Budesonide 3mg gastro-resistant modified-release capsules Tillotts Pharma UK Ltd 100 capsules Complete pack Deferiprone [...] The post 6 products re-classified as special containers from May 2026 appeared first on Community Pharmacy England.

Pharmacy teams are reminded that the NHS prescription charge remains at £9.90 per prescription item for 2026/27. A Government press release (released on 21/11/2025) previously confirmed that the NHS prescription charge would be frozen for 2026/27, as well as the costs for prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs). The list of 2026/27 prescription-related charges are outlined below. NHS charges for [...] The post NHS prescription charges remain at £9.90 appeared first on Community Pharmacy England.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has today (28/04/2026) confirmed the following list of price concessions for April 2026: Please note: Community Pharmacy England has submitted price concession applications for a number of other medicines affected by pricing issues this month. We will issue further updates as soon as we hear back from the [...] The post April 2026 Price Concessions 4th Update appeared first on Community Pharmacy England.

MHRA Class 2 Medicines Recall: Sertraline 100mg film-coated tablets (Amarox Limited) Drug alert number: EL(26)A/22 Date issued: 28 April 2026 Amarox Limited is recalling one batch of Sertraline 100 mg film-coated tablets as a precautionary measure due to an error at the manufacturing site. DMRC reference number: DMRC-39135670 Company name: Amarox Limited Medicine Details Sertraline 100mg [...] The post MHRA Class 2 Medicines Recall: Sertraline 100mg film-coated tablets (Amarox Limited) appeared first on Community Pharmacy England.

The Drug Tariff Preface published monthly, lists additions, deletions and other changes to products listed in the Drug Tariff. Below is a summary of the changes coming into effect from 1 May 2026. Key g Special container – This product is a special container and should be dispensed in its complete original pack size. n Item requiring reconstitution [...] The post Drug Tariff Watch – May 2026 appeared first on Community Pharmacy England.