Change to October Pharmacy First monthly threshold

The ability of pharmacy owners to achieve the thresholds for the monthly Pharmacy First payment has been an ongoing topic of great concern for pharmacy owners and Community Pharmacy England, particularly as the October increase to 30 clinical pathways got closer. 

Ministers have now decided that they intend to reduce the October threshold for the Pharmacy First service to 20, in light of the concerns that we have raised. 

As stated in the announcement letter about the Pharmacy First service, from 1st October 2024, new caps on the number of consultations that can be delivered per month will be introduced based on actual delivery of Pharmacy First (clinical pathways).  

A list of pharmacy owners, their assigned Band and monthly cap can be found on the NHS Business Services Authority’s (NHSBSA) website. 

Read more information on the NHSBSA website about the Pharmacy First caps