Politicians

Parliamentary group calls for pharmacists’ views on medicines shortages

The pharmacy all party parliamentary group (APPG) has launched a “vital” inquiry into the impact of medicines shortages in England.

Trump calls for investigation into link between vaccines and autism

The US President-elect Donald Trump has called for an investigation into the link between vaccines and autism – a debunked claim – and has said his health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr will be “working with” drug companies to find out “what’s happening”.

NI pharmacies set to receive £15m additional funding by 2027

The Northern Irish Department of Health (DH) has announced that “an additional £15m” will be invested into community pharmacy and GP pharmacy by April 2027, “subject to additional funding”.

NPA, IPA, CCA and CPE join forces to warn of ‘perilous’ budget

The four pharmacy bodies have together urged the government to “shield community pharmacies from…increased costs and measures” introduced in the October budget.

NHSE 'really very tight’ on pharmacy, Hancock reveals

The previous health secretary revealed NHSE’s “lack of enthusiasm” in supporting community pharmacy is “inbuilt” and it is “by tradition, really very tight on pharmacists” during his evidence at the latest Covid-19 Inquiry hearing.

Pharmacists must not ‘directly engage’ patients in assisted dying debate

The UK chief pharmaceutical officers (CPhOs) have set boundaries around pharmacist involvement in the assisted dying debate, amid calls for a “clear” role for pharmacists in the Scottish assisted dying bill.

Government to cut pharmacy business rates from 2026

The government has introduced draft legislation to “permanently cut business rates” for pharmacies and other high-street retailers from 2026 as it continues to come under fire over its recent budget tax hikes, it has revealed.

US pharmacies endorse ‘vaccine-sceptic’ new health sec RFK Jr

A US community pharmacy body has welcomed the nomination of Robert F Kennedy Jr as health secretary under Donald Trump’s new administration, despite his controversial comments about vaccines.

Collective action: NI minister to meet pharmacists over NPA ballot

Community pharmacists are set to meet with a Northern Ireland Office (NIO) minister to discuss the sector’s funding crisis after the National Pharmacy Association’s (NPA) ballot received near unanimous support in favour of collective action.

‘Go back to the drawing board’ over pharmacy budget relief, MPs urge

MPs have urged the government to “go back to the drawing board” and “invest” in community pharmacies as concerns grow about the upcoming hike in employer National Insurance Contributions.