Thursday 12th March 2026

Welcome to your weekly injection of local and national pharmacy news. As always, if you have any feedback or comments, please contact us by email at admin@cpdevon.org.uk.

The South West Collaborative Commissioning Hub have launched a second local health campaign on 2nd March 2026 titled "Promoting the NHS App".

How to participate in the campaign

1. This is a mandatory local health campaign, and all contractors must participate. The campaign has been selected by the local Integrated Care Board (ICB) in accordance with the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework 2025/26.​
2. From the 02 March 2026 use the campaign resources provided to promote the campaign within the pharmacy. The campaign will run for 3 weeks; 02 to 20 March 2026.  The pharmacy is required to participate for a minimum of 2 weeks but will be encouraged to continue promoting the benefits of the NHS App going forwards.
3. The pharmacy team will be required to engage with patients face to face to promote the campaign.
4. Please share any good news stories and experiences from the running the campaign using the following link Share Your Story NHS APP Health Campaign 2-20 March 2026 – Fill in form.  A tally sheet to record the number of interventions has also been provided to submit any voluntary information. 

Aim:

·         To increase public awareness of the NHS App and its benefits by:

·         Encouraging more people to use digital services for managing their health​

·         Support patients to access appointments, prescriptions, and health records more easily​

·         Empower individuals to take greater control of their healthcare​

·         Reduce pressure on GP practices by shifting routine tasks to digital channels​

·         Improve patient experience through quicker, more convenient access to services​

·         Promote the electronic prescription tracking service available on the NHS App (where contractors have enabled this service.

You may find it helpful to view an introduction video on how to use NHS App  Introduction to the NHS account and the NHS App - YouTube.  Information on how patients can sign up to the NHS App About NHS login - NHS

Community Pharmacy England is aware of a recent increase in scam emails being sent to community pharmacies. Some of these messages falsely claim that the pharmacy is under investigation for a data protection or GDPR compliance breach.

These emails can appear convincing at first glance. However, they often feature significant warning signs and should be deleted without responding. Please read our news story to learn about typical features of the scam, what to do when suspicious of an email and more. 

Pharmacies urged to be alert to GDPR themed scam emails - Community Pharmacy England

A gentle reminder to ensure all claims for reimbursement are submitted in a timely manner—please avoid allowing these to accumulate.

Following the issue of new public health service contracts, we have noticed a reduction in claim submissions. If you have delivered the service, please make sure you submit your claim so you receive the payment you are entitled to.

Join the NHS BSA for an Overview of NHS Prescription Services where they will fully explain what happens to your prescriptions once they have left you and how accounts are received and prepared for the scanning process. They will then explain prescription processing and include some important hints and tips on endorsing, fee claiming, wrong group movements and referred backs.

This is also a great opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have to the Head of Pharmaceutical Services and Business Engagement Lead who will be hosting:

Mark Gibbon

Mark’s role of the Business Engagement Lead allows him to support and educate stakeholders and customers. He regularly hosts and presents at events to pass on his vast experience supplying valuable advice and also promotes the valuable work completed by NHS Prescription Services and the wider NHSBSA.

Phil Edwards

Phil joined the NHSBSA in 2016 as the Head of Pharmaceutical Services and Principal Pharmacist. Before joining NHSBSA he has a varied background in pharmacy, retail pharmacy and pharmacy management as he worked for many years at the front line of Primary Care. He now manages the Pharmacy Team and supports colleagues at all levels to build on the excellent service relationship NHSBSA have with clients and dispensing contractors.

He is accountable for the relationship the organisation has with DHSC, NHS England, CPE, DDA, LPC’s and other Stakeholders on behalf of the NHSBSA.

Register here.

Pharmacy technicians can now book a place on this practical face-to-face workshop which is designed to build confidence and competence in using Patient Group Directions (PGDs). The programme uses the NHS pharmacy contraception, and smoking cessation services as examples to explore challenges and share solutions with peers, and practise consultation scenarios in a safe space. Now that pharmacy technicians are authorised to use PGDs, this training supports them in stepping into new responsibilities while helping employers expand service capacity and free-up pharmacist time. Bookings are now open.

The next workshop takes place on Wednesday 15th April from 7pm to 9pm at Boringdon Park Golf Club ,55,Plymbridge Road, Plymouth.PL7 4QG. There will be light refreshments available from 6.15pm.

Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to attend a face-to-face workshop designed for Pharmacy Technicians. Book your place here. Following this link will take you to a list of these events taking place around England.

If you have a positive news story to share with us please send it to admin@cpdevon.org.uk and it will be featured in an upcoming edition of the review. If featured, you will also win a surprise gift for you and your team up to the value of £25!

Click the name you need to email them directly: