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Pharmacy First is not being used by the public to the extent the Government had envisaged, pharmacy minister Stephen Kinnock has admitted.

Speaking in the house of commons on Tuesday June 17, Mr Kinnock said: “The take-up of Pharmacy First is not what we would like it to be, so we are looking at options to increase awareness of Pharmacy First and to free up pharmacists to be able to operate at the top of their licence.”

He claimed that “part of that is about streamlining the dispensing side of what they do” and said forthcoming hub and spoke legislation will assist in boosting service uptake. 

Asked why there are caps on the number of consultations that can be carried out, he replied: “Part of that is about the financial arrangements for Pharmacy First, which need to be set at a level that incentivises pharmacists.

“Sadly, given the way in which the scheme was set up under the previous Government, those incentives were not working, which is one reason why the take-up of Pharmacy First has not been what it needs to be. It is a question not of capping but much more one of getting the right level of financial compensation for Pharmacy First so that it works and incentivises the system.”

The debate also heard about the concerns of rural pharmacies, with Liberal Democrat MP for South Devon Caroline Voaden asking: “Will the Government consider introducing rural exceptions or adjusted funding thresholds so that we can keep community pharmacies open?”

The minister acknowledged that there are “particular challenges for rural pharmacies,” commenting: “We are looking at comprehensive reform in the pharmacy sector involving the better use of technology, hub and spoke dispensing, and a range of other options that would enable better remote dispensing for rural pharmacies.”