Scottish pharmacy sector to receive 3.5% boost to global sum funding
Arthur Walsh,
25 Sep 2026
2 Min
Scottish pharmacy sector to receive 3.5% boost to global sum funding
Arthur Walsh,
25 Sep 20262 Min
In Business
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Negotiating body Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) has agreed a funding settlement that will see the global sum rise by £8.5m, a 3.5 per cent increase.
Announced today (September 25), the settlement will also see £10m transferred from the Scottish Drug Tariff to the dispensing pool from October, “supporting demand across the network through existing arrangements and ensuring an equitable distribution of funding” said CPS.
The negotiator said the agreement for 2026-27, which is backdated to April 1, includes a commitment from the Scottish Government to assess contractors’ cost base to “inform future funding discussions and negotiations”.
CPS said the settlement “provides some degree of certainty for contractors” but noted there was no additional investment for developing services.
CPS chief executive Matt Barclay commented: "Within the parameters set by the Scottish Government, CPS worked hard to secure the best deal possible for contractors.
“While the agreement provides increased funding certainty and a fairer distribution of newly secured funding across the network, further investment will be needed to support the long-term sustainability and development of community pharmacy.
“We remain committed to working constructively with ministers and government officials to ensure future funding arrangements reflect the vital and growing contribution community pharmacy makes to patients, communities and the wider NHS."
In its statement, CPS said there had been “constructive engagement” from civil servants and pharmacy minister Maree Todd, adding that discussions so far “have established a positive foundation for future collaboration and negotiations”.
It added: “Looking ahead, CPS will continue to work with ministers and officials to develop a sustainable long-term funding model that reflects the growing contribution community pharmacy makes to patients, communities and the wider NHS, while addressing the operational and financial challenges facing the sector.”
National Pharmacy Association chief executive Henry Gregg responded: "This uplift is lower than many had hoped for, but we recognise and appreciate the work CPS has done in getting what they felt was the strongest deal available in the economic circumstances.'
"The £10m increase to the Guaranteed Minimum Income will be welcomed by our members.
"We will do all we can to support our members, who now have much needed certainty about the financial envelope for the next 12 months and we are committed to helping ensure their businesses are resilient in tough financial times."
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