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Newsletter

Thursday 9th October 2025

This newsletter is sent on Thursdays and contains useful information for community pharmacy contractors, managers and team members across Norfolk & Suffolk.

In this update
C-19 Resources to support pharmacy teams

National Health Campaigns 2025/26 - Final Details

Pharmacy Team Survey - Enter Now!

Celebrating Success

Suffolk Pharmacies - Varenicline and Cytisine PGD Trial

Other Information & Actions from CPE

CPE & Other Links

With the widespread issue of ineligible patients booking COVID-19 vaccinations due to issues with the National Booking System affecting community pharmacies, CPE has produced posters to help explain the current eligibility criteria for the vaccination.

View and download the posters here

Pharmacies may find these useful to print and display. The situation has led to increased pressure on pharmacy staff, with reports of verbal abuse from disappointed patients. CPE is advocating for urgent action to reduce the burden on pharmacy teams and ensure smoother vaccine delivery this season.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and NHS England have finalised plans for two national health campaigns that all pharmacies must participate in during 2025/26. The campaigns will run from:

Monday 20th October 2025 to Sunday 9th November 2025; and
Monday 2nd February 2026 to Sunday 22nd February 2026.

Pharmacies can promote the service in a variety of ways to meet the campaign requirements, including through materials already in use.

Read more and download resources

CPNS will also be promoting the National campaigns on our social media platforms, follow and share our posts on the links below.

LOCAL INFORMATION & UPDATES

Pharmacy Team Survey 2025

We value your feedback and would love to hear your views in our survey. Your insights will help us improve our support for you, our contractors, over the next year.

As a thank you, all entries from Norfolk and Suffolk team members will go into a prize draw to win one of three £50 Love to Shop vouchers!

The survey is open to ALL pharmacy team members and closes on 18th October 2025.

Please share this opportunity with all staff and locums. Your input is appreciated!

Celebrating Success

We are delighted to share that the following contractors and staff have been recognised at National awards for their contributions to the sector.

Pharmacy Business Awards 2025

Parv and Jasvinder Lali, pharmacy owners in Cambridgeshire, and Norfolk & Suffolk, have been awarded the Pharmacy Sustainability Award at the prestigious Pharmacy Business Awards 2025!

Their work sets a shining example for the entire profession, showing how pharmacy can play a vital role in environmental stewardship while continuing to deliver exceptional patient care.

Picture Jasvinder Lali (Center), Parv Lali (Right), Anil Sharma (Left).

Independent Pharmacy awards 2025

Pharmacy Technician of the Year was Sharon Lucas, who works at Rainbow Pharmacy in Ipswich.

Sharon is trained in ear microsuction and hypertension monitoring and diagnoses patients with high blood pressure, referring them to GPs for life-changing treatment.

Her ear microsuction service has enabled patients to regain their hearing and proceed with NHS hearing aid referrals. She also mentors staff and writes SOPs, assists with MHRA alert management and supports the pharmacy quality scheme alongside the pharmacist.

C&D Awards 2025 Finalists

We wish to congratulate G.M.Graham pharmacies for reaching the finals of this years C and D awards in the following three catagories:

Pharmacy Team of the Year

Natasha Jones as Manager of the Year

Som Thapa for Diversity and inclusion Award

If you have a good news story to share, celebrate success or milestone achievement, please send us a picture (with permission) and details to info@cpns.org.uk. So we can share your story.

Deadline Friday 10th October 2025

Suffolk Pharmacies - Varenicline and Cytisine PGD Trial

Suffolk County Council Public Health & Communities have opened a two week window for Expressions of Interest from pharmacies for the supply of Varenicline and Cytisine to support smoking cessation. Up to 10 pharmacies will be chosen under this trial and the EoI is open to all pharmacies who are either currently part of the NRT supply contract, or who are willing to also sign up (please follow the instructions above). The specification for the contract including the payment schedule is in the email which you will have received directly from Suffolk County Council and is also on your messages on PharmOutcomes. Please see and complete Smoking: Prescribed Medications Expression of Interest for additional information and to register your interest by Friday, 10th October 2025

Other CPE Information & Actions

Mandatory Workforce Survey

The deadline for completion is Friday, 21st November 2025.

Click here for further information and to complete the survey.

Emergency contraception and the PCS webinar - TONIGHT

CPE will be holding a webinar about the changes to the PCS on Thursday 9th October at 7.30pm.

Book your place here.

Key Dates For October 2025 & Upcoming Months

Pharmacy owners can find key dates for October 2025 and beyond on the CPCF Services and Terms of Service page.

This regularly updated resource helps pharmacy teams stay informed about national services and payment claims, ensuring you’re prepared in advance.

CPE Annual Report 2024/25

Community Pharmacy England have published their annual report. The 2024/25 report provides a detailed overview of the work they have done for the pharmacy sector in 2024/25.

Click on the image to read the report or the full news item from CPE can be seen here.