Great News for Pharmacy as Court Gives Go Ahead to Challenge Pharmacy Funding Cuts

The PSNC claims that a judicial review is necessary because the Secretary of State failed to carry out a lawful consultation on the proposals to cut funding to the sector and the NPA claims that the Department of Health has failed to consider the impact the cuts will have on those most vulnerable in our society.

It has been hinted by the High Court judge that if the Government seeks to delay the hearing, the implementation of the cuts could be postponed until after the case is concluded.

NPA Chairman, David Simons has stated, "We are fighting this case to protect patients and communities in deprived areas, and to smoke out the flawed thinking behind the Government cuts to pharmacy funding. Had the Department of Health properly considered the impact of its cuts, it would have realised that the cuts will have a disproportionate effect on people with legally protected characteristics and those who live in the most deprived areas of England, where there is already a lack of NHS healthcare provision. It makes sense to consider the NPA and PSNC cases at the same hearing, given that we are seeking the same outcome, namely a review of the decision to cut pharmacy funding in the period 2016/18."

Sue Sharpe, the Chief Executive of the PSNC, said: "PSNC still very much regrets that the process the NHS has followed in the past year has made it impossible to avoid taking legal action; however we are pleased that our application for leave has been granted and will be heard early in 2017."

Watch this space for the next instalment.

For further information, please contact John Zucker on 01923 919 310.