Community Pharmacy England is gathering pharmacy owners’ views on increased Pharmacy First thresholds in September and October and how GPs’ industrial action is impacting their businesses ahead of its next committee meeting next month.

Pharmacy’s negotiator said views and any other information provided by owners on its online survey will inform the meeting which will also focus on the resumption of 2024-25 contract talks with the government and CPE’s “ongoing approach.”

CPE also said contractors’ views will ultimately “help inform” its “ongoing discussions and negotiations” with the government.

“For (next month’s) meeting, we are keen to hear how you are feeling about the increases in the Pharmacy First monthly payment threshold and the effects of the GP collective action on your pharmacy,” CPE said.

“We are also continuing to track the intensity of various financial pressures on your pharmacies.”

Its survey poses questions such as ‘how confident are you that you will be able to meet the Pharmacy First monthly clinical pathways consultation thresholds in September and October?' And ‘what factors do you think are responsible for you not being able to provide enough clinical pathways consultations to meet the increasing thresholds?’

The survey also asks owners what they will do if their pharmacy fails to pass the monthly threshold and what effect GPs’ collective action, which began on August 1, is having on their pharmacy, such as fewer Pharmacy First electronic referrals from practices or more people being signposted to the pharmacy.

The survey closes at 11.59pm on Monday, August 26. CPE said the survey is also being sent to the head offices of multiple pharmacy chains.