Thursday 1st October 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.

Please see the October edition of the Deadline Tracker here.

Local MP, Steve Darling, recently visited Dowricks Pharmacy in Chelston, Torbay, to hear first-hand about the increasing pressures facing community pharmacies.

Hosted by Lisa Dowrick, a second-generation pharmacist, the visit provided an opportunity to discuss the vital role community pharmacies play in supporting local residents. Lisa highlighted the wide range of services now delivered through community pharmacy and outlined concerns around increasing workload, funding challenges, and a lack of integration across parts of the healthcare system. She also shared findings from the recent Community Pharmacy England pressures survey and raised concerns about the sustainability of community pharmacies without additional support and investment.

In response, Steve Darling acknowledged the important contribution community pharmacies make to local healthcare and committed to exploring what further support may be available. He stated that he would seek to better understand how the local Integrated Care Board (ICB) is supporting the shift of healthcare services into community settings and work to help ensure Torbay does not experience further pharmacy closures.

Community pharmacies continue to play a vital role in providing accessible healthcare services, advice, and support to patients across Torbay and beyond.

Thank you for hosting the visit Lisa!

If you would like to host an MP visit in your pharmacy please get in touch with the secretariat team at admin@cpdevon.org.uk

A report has been published today about the coverage of the MenB vaccination programme. The South West is performing well overall, but congratulations to Devon pharmacies for achieving 33.5% coverage of the first dose for the eligible cohort of the population. 🙂

The full community pharmacy assurance framework (CPAF) survey monitoring pharmacy contractors’ compliance in 2025/26 will be available to complete from 1 October until midnight on 31 October 2026.

Contractors will be contacted directly by the NHS Business Services Authority if their pharmacy has been selected. Completion is a mandatory requirement for all selected contractors, and the results will form the basis for which pharmacies will be considered for a visit. Users of the NHSBSA’s Manage Your Service (MYS) portal will be able to complete the survey via their MYS login.

Health and support services in Torbay are highlighting an increased risk of drug-related overdoses following several incidents earlier this week that resulted in hospital admissions. The cause of these overdoses and the substances involved remain under investigation; however, organisations are being encouraged to remain vigilant and continue sharing harm reduction information with people who may be at risk. 

To support local awareness, the existing overdose risk alert issued in August is being re-circulated and should be displayed in public-facing areas wherever possible. Staff are also encouraged to share the information with individuals who may be vulnerable to drug-related harm, helping to promote safer behaviours and awareness of overdose risks.

In addition, recent reports indicate the emergence of Crystal Spice, a synthetic cannabinoid, within Torbay. This substance can have highly unpredictable effects and has been associated with serious health risks, including collapse, loss of consciousness, psychosis and seizures. Staff are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the information available on Crystal Spice and share it with people who use drugs to increase awareness and reduce the potential for harm. 

For further information and support, individuals can contact TRI Drug and Alcohol Services.

Please see a briefing that community pharmacy England have shared in relation to changes to the pharmacy regulations these changes come into effect as of 1st October 2026 with further expectations of change from 1st Jan 2027

📅 5 October to 25 October 2026

This campaign is about recognising the valuable contribution pharmacy teams make and reinforcing a simple but important message: everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.

While pharmacies deliver an increasing range of NHS services, many team members continue to experience abuse, aggression, and unacceptable behaviour from members of the public. Such incidents can have a significant impact on staff wellbeing and their ability to provide safe, effective care.

The campaign aims to raise awareness of these challenges while encouraging positive interactions between patients and pharmacy teams. A culture of mutual respect helps create a safer and more supportive environment for both staff and the people they care for.

Pharmacies are encouraged to support the campaign by:

• Displaying campaign posters and leaflets in pharmacy premises.
• Sharing campaign messages through websites and social media channels.
• Including key messages in patient communications and newsletters.
• Engaging patients in conversations about the important role pharmacy teams play in local healthcare.

A range of resources have been developed by NHS England and Community Pharmacy England to help pharmacies promote the campaign effectively and consistently.

This annual campaign aims to encourage smokers to plan their quit attempt throughout October. This is also a good time to have conversations with your patients around how pharmacies can help.

A number of resources have been published to help you prepare for the campaign and promote these messages. View and download 

This is NOT a mandatory campaign.

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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