PCA(P)(2025)18 - Remuneration Arrangements 2025 / 2026
Published: 08/07/25
This circular sets out to community pharmacy contractors and NHS Boards the details of the community pharmacy funding arrangements for 2025/26.
Background
Circular PCA(P)(2024)28 advised on amendments to the remuneration and reimbursement arrangements listed in Part 7 of the Drug Tariff (generics) along with the Part 7 discount clawback rate for the financial year2024/25. Circular PCA(P)(2025)07 set out the agreement between Scottish Government and Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) on the reimbursement arrangements and changes to the Scottish Drug Tariff for the financial year 2025/26.
A settlement has now been reached with CPS on the remuneration arrangements for the community pharmacy funding package for the financial year 2025/26.
Detail
This circular advises on the headline remuneration elements as part of the overall community pharmacy funding package for 2025/26:
A) The remuneration Global Sum will be reset for 2025/26 at £242.013m, an increase of 4% on the previous year and will be effective from 1 April 2025. This sets the baseline figure for 2026/27.
B) The non-Global Sum shall roll forward at its current level set at £1.3m.
C) As agreed and communicated in Circular PCA(P)(2025)07, the continued mapping of funding from Part 7 (generic) of the Drug Tariff as guaranteed income will increase by £20m to £100 million for the financial year 2025/26. Mapped guaranteed income is not subject to an annual uplift. This additional quantum will be allocated to the Pharmacy First and Pharmacy First Plus services – further detail on the breakdown of this funding is set out in the Annex.
Taking these points A to C above, the total guaranteed funding to be delivered in 2025/26 is £343.313 million.
As also stated in Circular PCA(P)(2025)07, the current level of Guaranteed Minimum Income has also increased by £10m to £120m. The delivery of the Guaranteed Minimum Income will be closely monitored on a monthly basis and action taken on a quarterly basis during the financial year via a cashflow protection mechanism, if required. Further action to support contractor cashflow will be considered, if appropriate.
The 4% uplift of £9.31m to the global sum for this year will be allocated to the Dispensing Pool. Further details on the breakdown of global sum funding are set out in the Annex.
