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Community Pharmacy Devon Weekly Dose 💊 |
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Thursday 28th May 2026 |
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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. |
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Calling all Pharmacy Technicians Qualified or in Training |
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We are looking to gather some information about your needs and create a space for you to discuss among peers your thoughts to support with things such as training needs or continued professional development. Please can you fill in this form by the 12th June.
Please note that any information collected will be treated with the strictest confidence and will not be shared beyond the committee. If you have any questions please reach out to us in the office.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- APTUK Conference and Membership Details
APTUK are thrilled to announce that the APTUK 2026 Annual Professional Conference and Exhibition will take place on Friday 18th & Saturday 19th September 2026 at the Renaissance Hotel, London, Heathrow.
The theme is ‘Expanding Horizons’ to reflect the current professional landscape. This year’s event promises an exceptional and dynamic programme, bringing together expert speakers and thought‑provoking sessions from across the profession.
This event is designed by pharmacy technicians with your professional development in mind. The event will provide you with 2 days of CPD opportunities, networking, leadership & support to inspire and support you in your role. All Pharmacy Technicians and Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technicians who are members of APTUK and non-members are welcome to attend. Find out more about the event and book a place click here.
APTUK have a variety of membership options available for Pharmacy Technicians and Pre-registration Trainee Pharmacy Technicians including 24 months for the price of 12 for newly qualified pharmacy technicians in their first 12 months of practice and FREE membership for PTPTs! To find out more about APTUK membership take a look at their website here.
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NHS England Updates National Standards on how Pharmacy Teams and IT Suppliers Process Nominations |
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NHS England has been reviewing nomination practices and the updated national standards reinforces the principle that patients must be able to set or change their nomination freely, without pressure or unwanted intervention.
The key points of the nomination standards are:
For more information look at the CPE website here.
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Community Pharmacy Workforce Survey 2025: Key Highlights |
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The 2025 Community Pharmacy Workforce Survey provides a snapshot of staffing levels and trends across England, based on data from 93% of pharmacy premises. Overall, the total workforce has grown by 7% (full-time equivalent), signalling expanding capacity to support patient care.
Despite this growth, the number of pharmacists has declined by 10% compared to 2024, with fewer pharmacists per pharmacy on average. Encouragingly, reliance on locum pharmacists has also fallen by 10%, suggesting a shift towards more stable staffing models.
Other parts of the workforce are expanding to meet demand. Pharmacy technician numbers have increased significantly, alongside a 77% rise in pre-registration trainee pharmacy technicians and a 23% increase in foundation trainee pharmacists. The number of Independent Prescribers continues to grow, now representing around 12% of the pharmacist workforce (around one per five pharmacies).
Vacancy rates have improved in some key roles, including pharmacists, although shortages remain in areas such as accuracy checking staff, medicines counter assistants and delivery drivers.
The number of community pharmacies has slightly decreased (by 0.6%), continuing a gradual downward trend.
Overall, the findings highlight a workforce in transition, with increasing reliance on technicians and trainees, alongside continued growth in prescribing capability. The data will be used to inform future workforce planning, education and training investment across the pharmacy sector.
More information may be found on the main survey webpage.
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Price Concessions |
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A record 116 price concessions have been announced for May so far. |
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Contraception Training Event |
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This event will discuss Emergency Hormonal Contraception (EHC), Chlamydia Screening, Progesterone only pill (POP), Combined pill (COC) and Talking With Young People Training Session for pharmacists.
This is an update for Registered Community Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians in Devon providing EHC and oral contraception.
Date: 23rd June 2026 6pm-9pm Location: The event will be held at Sexual health in Plymouth (SHiP), Level 5, Derriford Hospital
For further details and to register your place, please click here. |
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🚀 Community Pharmacy Training Event |
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Join us for an insightful evening focused on growing clinical services and building financial resilience in community pharmacy 💊
✅ Learn how to increase income
✅ Build clinical skills ✅ Gain insights from specialist peers 🗓 Date: 22nd June
📍 Venue: Marriott Hotel, Sandy Park, Exeter ⏰ Arrive from 6:30pm (food provided) | Start 7:15pm Topics include:
• Long-term condition management • Lifestyle & behaviour change • Clinical governance • Marketing and service growth 📧 RSVP by 15th June: lucy.beazley@virtually.uk
In collaboration with Community Pharmacy Devon
👉 Don’t miss this opportunity to expand and strengthen your services!
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Positive News Stories |
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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! |
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COMMUNITY PHARMACY DEVON SECRETARIAT TEAM |
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