Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when his Department plans to renew pharmacy contracts following their expiry in March 2024; and if he will provide updated guidance on pharmacy funding following the Spring Budget.

As I have said in Parliament, the previous Government was unable to reach an agreement on the funding for community pharmacy ahead of the election. The existing contractual framework has remained in place and payments are made to contractors in accordance with those arrangements. The Government are currently in consultation with Community Pharmacy England regarding the funding arrangements for community pharmacy for 2024/25 and 2025/26.