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Changes to three elements of the community pharmacy contract framework in England are due to come into effect during October, although the dates are provisional at present and subject to confirmation by NHS nearer the time.

The provisional start date for the use of new clinical pathways and PGDs for the Pharmacy First service is October 1. CPE says IT system suppliers plan to update their systems to incorporate the updates to the service overnight on September 30 so that an updated service can be provided in line with updated service documentation from the beginning of October.

Draft versions of the revised clinical pathways and PGDs were released via the NHS BSA in June. The updated documentation will be published on the NHS England website on October 1.

From October 29 the Pharmacy Contraception Service will be expanded to include drospirenone within the list of contraceptives which can be supplied and to allow the supply of oral emergency contraception. 

For the first time, pharmacy technicians will be able to provide the service. If that is the case an SOP must be in place setting out how the responsible pharmacist will supervise the supply of any medication.

Draft service specifications and PGDs were published via the NHS BSA website in June. CPE says that pharmacy owners who are currently registered to provide the service and intend to continue to do so are not required to take any action regarding service registration.

On October 29, the New Medicines Service will expand to include depression as an eligible therapeutic area. This will be reflected in an updated service specification and NMS Eligible Drug List, which has been updated following a review of the list of drugs for all conditions eligible for the service.

A draft of the new service specification and NMS eligible drug list were published via the NHS BSA website in August.

CPE advises that the service specification has been amended to clarify that sub-contracting of the service is not allowed. The wording regarding the timing of intervention and follow up consultations has also been amended, so the intervention consultation is provided between 7-14 days after recruitment and the follow up consultation is between 14-21 days later.

NHS England will confirm the various commencement dates nearer the time, via the Primary Care Bulletin, subject to receiving confirmation that the necessary changes to the clinical IT systems will be made on schedule.