What Community Pharmacy England does

Community Pharmacy England is the statutory negotiating body for approximately 10,400 community pharmacies in England, operating under that name since a 2023 rebrand from the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC, founded 1911). The organization's primary function is negotiating the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF), funding settlements, and price concessions with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and NHS England, and it also supports pharmacies on NHS digital systems including the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS), NHSBSA's Manage Your Service (MYS) portal, GP Connect, and NHS-assured Pharmacy First IT systems supplied by HxConsult (Positive Solutions), Pharmacy Manager (Cegedim), PharmOutcomes (Optum), and Sonar Health. Its core "product surface" is not commercial but contractual: Advanced Services (Pharmacy First, New Medicine Service, Contraception, Hypertension Case-Finding, Vaccinations, Smoking Cessation), Essential Services (dispensing, repeat dispensing, discharge medicines, public health), National Enhanced Services (RSV/Pertussis, MenB), the Pharmacy Quality Scheme (PQS), Serious Shortage Protocols, and the Price Concessions System.

The organization is headquartered at 14 Hosier Lane, London, with 11-50 staff organized into specialized teams covering Communications and Public Affairs, Dispensing and Supply, Funding, Services, Digital and Technology, Regulation and Support, and Pharmacy Owner and LPC Support. It is a private, non-profit membership body — not a publicly traded company — funded by a levy paid by community pharmacy owners rather than by direct government grant. Its go-to-market motion is therefore a representational and political-engagement model: regional roadshows, webinars, an annual LPC conference, briefings, press statements, MP engagement, and a multi-channel digital presence (website, email newsletter, LinkedIn, X). CPE influences an underlying pharmacy sector that serves approximately 1.6 million people daily and where 90% of pharmacy income is derived from NHS dispensing and service delivery; with 75% of pharmacies reportedly operating at a loss amid medicine shortages, CPE's negotiating leverage and value to its membership are increasingly material to sector viability.

Name

Community Pharmacy England

Legal name

Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee

Website

https://cpe.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1911

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Community Pharmacy England is the statutory negotiating body for approximately 10,400 community pharmacies in England, negotiating NHS funding, contractual terms, and price concessions with the DHSC and NHS England on their behalf.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Healthcare Sector Representation Services

NAICS

Pharmacies and Drug Retailers (456110), Pharmacies and Drug Retailers (45611)

SIC

Retail-Drug Stores And Proprietary Stores (5912), Hospital & Medical Service Plans (6324)

akta.pro primary industry

Pharmacy Benefit/Channel Services (PSAO, 340B Admin, Chargebacks/Rebates Ops) (CRAOAHAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Retail & Community Pharmacies (Chain/Independent) (HLAFALAA)

Keywords

• Pharmacy representation services
• NHS funding negotiations
• Community pharmacy support
• Pharmacy contractual framework
• Pharmacy reimbursement services

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. NHS Funding Negotiations: Community Pharmacy England does not generate revenue in the traditional commercial sense. As a representative body, they negotiate NHS funding and reimbursement arrangements on behalf of community pharmacy owners. The funding settlement for 2026/27 was announced as part of CPCF negotiations, with a Pharmacy Quality Scheme budget of £20 million. Pharmacy First service is supported by £645 million in pledged investment for the Delivery plan for recovering access to primary care.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Community Pharmacy England is the statutory negotiating body for ~10,400 community pharmacies in England, negotiating the NHS Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF), funding settlements, price concessions and service terms with DHSC and NHS England. It also provides pharmacy owners with briefings, regulatory guidance, training resources and operational support for NHS-commissioned services, while advocating for sustainable pharmacy funding and representing the sector to government and Parliament.

Product overview

Community Pharmacy England (operating name of the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee) represents approximately 10,400 community pharmacies in England. The organization provides a portfolio of NHS-commissioned services organized under the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF), including Advanced Services (Pharmacy First, NMS, Contraception, Hypertension, Vaccinations, Smoking Cessation), Essential Services (dispensing, repeat dispensing, public health), and National Enhanced Services. The core operational infrastructure includes the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS), NHSBSA MYS portal for claims, and GP Connect integration. The Pharmacy Quality Scheme (PQS) provides quality incentives, while the Price Concessions System addresses medicines supply chain issues. Community Pharmacy England's digital infrastructure connects pharmacy IT systems with NHS platforms including GP Connect, NHS 111, and NHS databases.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Pharmacy First Service Advanced NHS service where pharmacists provide advice and NHS-funded treatment for seven common conditions via clinical pathways under Patient Group Directions, incorporating former CPCS minor illness and urgent medicines supply referrals from NHS 111 and GPs. Commissioned for community pharmacies in England.
• New Medicine Service (NMS) Advanced NHS service providing structured support to patients newly prescribed a medicine for long-term conditions to improve adherence and clinical outcomes, delivered through community pharmacies in England.
• Pharmacy Contraception Service Advanced NHS service enabling pharmacists to initiate and supply prescription-only contraception without requiring a GP appointment, delivered through community pharmacies in England.
• Hypertension Case-Finding Service Advanced NHS service for identifying patients with high blood pressure via case-finding consultations and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in community pharmacies in England.
• Seasonal Vaccination Services (COVID-19 and Adult Flu) Advanced NHS vaccination service for seasonal influenza and COVID-19 delivered through community pharmacies in England, including spring campaigns.
• Childhood Flu Vaccination Service Advanced NHS service for administering flu vaccinations to children through community pharmacies in England, with expanded programme launching October 2026.
• Smoking Cessation Service Advanced NHS service supporting patients to quit smoking through advice, behavioural support and supply of smoking cessation products in community pharmacies in England.
• RSV and Pertussis Vaccination Service National Enhanced NHS vaccination service for Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Whooping Cough, commissioned as a national enhanced service through community pharmacies.
• Dispensing Medicines Essential NHS service for dispensing NHS prescriptions and supplying medicines to patients through community pharmacies in England.
• Repeat Dispensing / Electronic Repeat Dispensing (eRD) Essential NHS service enabling pharmacies to dispense repeat NHS prescriptions electronically without requiring fresh authorisations each time.
• Discharge Medicines Service Essential NHS service supporting patients leaving hospital with their medicines and ensuring accurate medication reconciliation through community pharmacies.
• Pharmacy Quality Scheme (PQS) CPCF quality incentive scheme rewarding community pharmacies for meeting clinical effectiveness, patient safety and patient experience criteria, with the 2026/27 scheme having a £20 million budget.
• Price Concessions System Monthly system negotiated by Community Pharmacy England with DHSC granting price concessions when drugs are unavailable at Drug Tariff prices, ensuring community pharmacies are fairly reimbursed for medicines purchased above standard rates.
• Community Pharmacy Assurance Framework (CPAF) Contract monitoring framework for assessing and assuring the quality of NHS services provided by community pharmacies in England.
• Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) NHS digital service enabling the electronic transmission of prescriptions from GP practices to pharmacies in England, including EPS tokens, submission and tracking.
• Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) Operational protocols enabling pharmacists in England to supply alternative medicines during confirmed national shortages without requiring GP amendment of prescriptions.
• NHSBSA Manage Your Service (MYS) Portal NHSBSA portal giving community pharmacy owners in England access to manage services, submit claims for Pharmacy First and PQS payments, view prescriptions, and access payment schedules.

Quantifiable outcome

• Pharmacy First service launched 31st January 2024, enabling pharmacists to provide advice and NHS-funded treatment for seven common conditions
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration15 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and minor.

• Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary negotiating partner for community pharmacy funding and contractual arrangements. DHSC works with Community Pharmacy England on the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF), price concessions, and regulatory matters affecting pharmacies.
• NHS EnglandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-commissions national pharmacy services including Pharmacy First, Pharmacy Quality Scheme, and advanced services with DHSC. Negotiates service specifications and implementation guidance with Community Pharmacy England.
• NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA)coreTechnology or IntegrationOperates the Manage Your Service (MYS) portal used by pharmacies to claim payments, register for services, and submit data. Also manages Drug Tariff, pricing, and post-payment verification.
• NHS DigitalcoreTechnology or IntegrationProvides digital infrastructure including GP Connect for accessing patient records, Electronic Prescription Service (EPS), and other NHS digital systems that community pharmacies use.
• Local Pharmaceutical Committees (LPCs)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional representative bodies that work with Community Pharmacy England to support pharmacy owners at a local level. Community Pharmacy England provides funding to LPCs and works with them on local engagement and commissioning.
• Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education (CPPE)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides training resources and self-assessment frameworks for pharmacists preparing to deliver Pharmacy First and other advanced services.
• Healthwatch EnglandsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with Community Pharmacy England to launch an online Pharmacy First patient survey to gather feedback and inform service improvements.
• NHS IT System Suppliers (HxConsult, Cegedim, Optum, Sonar Informatics)coreTechnology or IntegrationCompanies providing NHS-assured Pharmacy First IT systems that allow pharmacies to make clinical records and submit claims via API to the NHSBSA MYS portal.
• L MarksminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovation company partnering on Thames Freeport Health Bus Screening Programme, integrating healthtech companies including PocDoc, Holly Health, Lifelight, my mhealth, Jeenie, Esri UK, and FourthSpace.
• AvenceraminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of Thames Freeport's delivery consortium for the Healthcare Innovation Lab mobile health screening programme.
• Agilio (iLearn Pharmacy)supportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvides Pharmacy First training resources for pharmacy teams preparing to deliver the service.
• Health AcademysupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvides online Pharmacy First training courses for NHS minor ailments care.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies (AIMp): AIMp represents mid-sized independent multiple pharmacy groups in the UK and engages with NHS policymakers on contractual and funding issues. It is a direct peer in community pharmacy representation, operating alongside CPE.
• National Pharmacy Association (NPA): The NPA is a UK trade association that represents independent community pharmacy owners alongside its role as a buying group and indemnity provider. It directly overlaps with CPE's representational function for community pharmacy contractors in England.
• Company Chemists' Association (CCA): The CCA represents the largest pharmacy operators in the UK (e.g., Boots, Well, Lloyds) and engages with NHS England on contractual and policy matters. It is a direct peer to CPE in negotiating community pharmacy terms, though it represents a different sub-segment (multiples vs. all owners).

Broad incumbents

• British Medical Association (BMA): The BMA is the statutory trade union and professional body for UK doctors and negotiates the GP contract with NHS England. It is a broad peer in the sense of representing a primary-care contractor constituency in NHS contract negotiations, although it covers a much larger and more politically powerful profession.

Emerging players

• Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS): The RPS is the professional body for pharmacists in Great Britain, focused on professional standards, education, and advocacy rather than direct NHS contract negotiation. It is an adjacent peer that engages with NHS England on pharmacy policy from a professional-practice angle.
• Pharmaceutical Negotiating Committee equivalents in other countries (e.g., Canadian Pharmacists Association): The Canadian Pharmacists Association and similar bodies in other jurisdictions represent community pharmacy contractors in negotiations with public payers. They are thematically comparable peers to CPE as pharmacy-sector representative/negotiating bodies, though operating under very different healthcare systems.

Regional players

• Community Pharmacy Wales: Community Pharmacy Wales represents NHS community pharmacy contractors in Wales and negotiates the community pharmacy contractual framework with the Welsh Government. It mirrors CPE's representational and negotiating function in a devolved UK nation.
• Community Pharmacy Scotland: Community Pharmacy Scotland is the statutory negotiating body for NHS community pharmacy contractors in Scotland, with an essentially identical remit to CPE but operating under the devolved Scottish Government. It is the closest functional peer in a different UK jurisdiction.
• Community Pharmacy Northern Ireland: Community Pharmacy Northern Ireland represents pharmacy contractors in Northern Ireland and engages with the Department of Health on contractual and reimbursement matters. It is the devolved-nation equivalent of CPE.

Others

• Pharmacy Services Negotiating Committee equivalents (PSNC) historical peer organisations: The historical PSNC website (now redirected to CPE) and equivalent negotiating committees in Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland perform comparable sector-wide representational functions and offer the closest functional analogues to CPE outside the UK.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/compharmengland
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/communitypharmacyengland
• Facebookfacebook.com/CambLPC

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Community Pharmacy England