Pharmacies in Wales are to receive a six per cent uplift to their funding for the current year, negotiator Community Pharmacy Wales has said. 

CPW issued a statement on Wednesday September 11 welcoming the funding boost, which followed a statement from cabinet health secretary Mark Drakeford in which he said that alongside boosting doctors’ and dentists’ salary scales by six per cent backdated to April 1, the Welsh Government wants to see increase pay across primary care providers.

“While falling outside the scope of the Doctors and Dentists Review Body’s (DDRB) recommendations, I want to see a fair and proportionate pay uplift across primary care, including community pharmacies, NHS optometry and all staff working in general practice and dental teams,” said Mr Drakeford.

“This is in recognition of the vital role primary care and its staff play in delivering essential services to people throughout Wales.”

CPW said it understood there would be a six per cent rise in the global sum, which is currently fixed at £165.1m per annum. 

CPW chair Mark Griffiths said: “This is a very welcome announcement and has come at a critical time for community pharmacies across Wales who have faced significant financial challenges over an extended period of time.

“CPW will now want to work with Welsh Government and NHS Wales to make sure that the increased funding is allocated in a way that will enable us to reward and support our pharmacy teams whilst ensuring that community pharmacy remains a sustainable and viable network capable of providing local communities with the highest standards of pharmaceutical care. 

“At the same time, CPW will want to ensure that the recent developments in new and innovative community pharmacy services can be sustained.”