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Pharmacy First: Withholding Payments
12 February 2026
Lead MP
Luke Evans
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
Employment
Other Contributors: 14
At a Glance
Luke Evans raised concerns about pharmacy first: withholding payments in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
Concerns have been raised about the withholding of Pharmacy First payments to pharmacies, with many pharmacies not realising that some of their money is missing. This issue is particularly problematic as it appears contractors are only discovering this issue long after the window has closed, making it too late to rectify. The chair of the National Pharmacy Association highlighted that work was completed and patients were treated but payments have been withheld on a technicality.
Zubir Ahmed
Lab
Glasgow South West
Since coming into office, we have reversed the decade of cuts to community pharmacy with the biggest uplift for the sector in years and frozen prescription charges. We agreed to reduce the claim window as part of our deal for 2025-26 to introduce a new Pharmacy First fixed first payment of £500. Funding for core community pharmacy contractual framework has been increased to over £3 billion—the largest uplift of any part of the NHS in the last two years.
Luke Evans
Con
Hinckley and Bosworth
There are issues with contractors being suspended from providing Pharmacy First that need separate consideration. The National Pharmacy Association's chair explained the problem simply: work was done, patients were treated, but payments are being withheld on a technicality. This is exacerbated by pharmacies not realising some of their money is missing until it’s too late.
Liam Conlon
Lab
Beckenham and Penge
Community pharmacies play a crucial role in supporting the health service, providing access to treatment when appointments are hard to come by elsewhere. What support have the Government put in place for community pharmacies, especially regarding funding?
Helen Morgan
Lib Dem
North Shropshire
Pressure on pharmacists is severe and has been getting worse with closures in rural and coastal areas where they are most needed. There needs to be a new late payment mechanism to ensure contractors can still receive compensation for work undertaken, especially as they adapt to changes introduced.
James Naish
Lab
Rushcliffe
Pharmacies have been in touch with concerns about the withholding of Pharmacy First payments. There is a need for clarity on what will happen next regarding independent prescribing after March this year, as only 5% of patients seen by prescribers subsequently require GP prescribing.
Zubir Ahmed
Lab
Glasgow South West
Independent prescribers are a key and expanding part of our workforce, providing a sustainable primary care service. The Minister for Care will write to the hon. Friend with exact funding plans for the next financial year.
Gagan Mohindra
Con
South West Hertfordshire
Pharmacies are under unsustainable pressure from rising costs, especially following the Government’s increase to employer national insurance contributions. Pharmacy First was a great initiative but is now hurting pharmacies and patients due to delayed payments.
Lincoln Jopp
Con
Spelthorne
There are two problems with Pharmacy First: lack of referrals from GPs and inadequate remuneration for services. Pharmacies need to be looked at as a vocation, not just a business.
Will Forster
Lib Dem
Woking
Residents are frustrated by restrictions on new pharmacies opening and the lack of funding and payment delays from the Government. This undermines the pharmacy sector and affects patient care.
Greg Smith
Con
Mid Buckinghamshire
Pharmacy First is game-changing but contractors receive monthly fixed payments which do not reflect their actual services, causing financial difficulties for pharmacies like Wendover Pharmacy.
Claire Young
Lib Dem
Thornbury and Yate
Community pharmacies face problems with Pharmacy First payments and referrals. This combination of issues is forcing patients to wait longer for care and needs addressing.
Richard Foord
Lib Dem
Honiton and Sidmouth
Between 2015 and 2025, community pharmacies have seen a real-terms funding cut of about 30%, with rural Devon and Cornwall seeing a reduction of 90,000 hours of pharmacy time. Full compensation for dispensing doctors in rural areas is needed.
Freddie Van Mierlo
Lib Dem
Henley and Thame
Rural pharmacies like Vik Patel's in Benson are disadvantaged by the Pharmacy First scheme due to higher thresholds which make it difficult for them to qualify for payment.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Suggests a payment per consultation system, similar to Northern Ireland’s model, as more appropriate and beneficial for pharmacies, GPs, and patients in rural settings.
Government Response
Since coming into office, we have reversed the decade of cuts to community pharmacy with significant uplifts and frozen prescription charges. We introduced a new Pharmacy First fixed first payment and increased funding for core community pharmacy contractual framework to over £3 billion. The current remuneration method was agreed in conjunction with Community Pharmacy England, and adjustments were communicated through letters and articles. Specific provisions have been introduced to allow pharmacy contractors to receive payments for claims delayed due to IT issues outside of their control.
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