<p>The Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework 2019-24 five-year deal commits £2.592 billion each year to the sector. In September 2022, following negotiation with the sector, we announced a one-off £100million investment into pharmacy for the remainder of the five-year deal.</p><p>The Department closely monitors the market and is working in partnership with NHS England and local authorities to evaluate the effect of closures on patient access. In England, access to NHS pharmaceutical services is good with 80 per cent of the population living within 20 minutes walking distance of a community pharmacy. The Pharmacy Access Scheme supports patient access and provision in areas where there are fewer community pharmacies by providing additional payments to pharmacies whose closure would have the greatest impact on patient access.</p><p>As part of the agreement announced in September, NHS England committed to working with the sector to undertake an independent economic analysis of NHS pharmaceutical services. This review will help inform the negotiation of the future contractual framework for community pharmacy.</p>