The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) and NHS have agreed a funding settlement for community pharmacy for 2015/16 worth £2.8 billion. A new flu vaccination service will be introduced as part of the agreement, which will also see a cost review of the Electronic Prescription Service and changes to the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF).

The Flu Vaccination Advanced Service will launch this September, and will allow community pharmacies to give NHS flu jabs to patients aged 18 years and over who are defined as at risk in the Annual Flu Letter. Funding for the service will come from national flu budgets and not the £2.8 billion settlement, with pharmacies set to receive £9.14 per vaccination given as remuneration and to cover costs.

The PSNC has also agreed to set up a joint working group with the NHS to look at the cost of implementing the Electronic Prescription Service, and to ensure that patients claiming prescription charge exemption without evidence of entitlement are aware of the consequences of making claims that are not appropriate.

PSNC chief executive Sue Sharpe said of the Flu Vaccination Advanced Service: “Over the coming months we will be working hard with NHS Employers and NHS England to ensure that pharmacy teams, patients and the rest of the health service are ready for the new service. There will be challenges, and not everyone will welcome the news of pharmacy’s extended role, but community pharmacies are ready for this and the evidence and benefits for patients will speak for themselves.”