Welcome back to the APPG on Pharmacy weekly Parliamentary update. Set out below is a summary of key parliamentary and policy developments in community pharmacy from the week just gone.

The APPG’s inquiry into medicines shortages will close this evening. Updates will be posted on the APPG website and social media accounts in due course.

Key Parliamentary Activity

Oral Contributions

National Insurance Contributions Bill – House of Lords – 21st January 2025. Full transcript here.

Lord Scriven (Liberal Democrat) on the implications of national insurance contribution increases on community healthcare, noting the additional cost of £12,000 per pharmacy annually.
Lord Randall (Conservative) agreed the potentially ‘devastating’ impacts of the rise in national insurance contributions were not fully appreciated by Governments.

Welfare of Doctors – Westminster Hall – 21st January 2025. Full transcript here.

Dr Peter Prinsley (Labour) addressed the ‘broken’ NHS and the impact this was having on general practice, dentistry and pharmacy.

Written Questions:

There were 2 written questions relating to Pharmacy answered in the House of Commons and House of Lords this week. These can be viewed on Hansard here.

Dr Luke Evans (Conservative) on Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework negotiations
Mike Amesbury (Independent) on medicines cost and impact on pharmacies