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The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has said Labour would deliver more benefits for the NHS by investing in community pharmacy rather than the Additional Roles and Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS).

Reacting to the Government’s decision to give pharmacists and other healthcare professionals employed through ARRS a 3.3 per cent pay rise, the NPA’s director of corporate affairs Gareth Jones (pictured) told Independent Community Pharmacist that community pharmacy would “deliver a better return for the NHS than the ARRS scheme ever can” with increased investment. 

The pay rise for NHS staff on Agenda for Change contracts, including pharmacists and nurses hired through ARRS in England and Wales, confirmed by the Department of Health and Social Care to ICP, will be applied from tomorrow (April 1).

The Government also accepted the Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration recommendation for a 3.5 per cent uplift for GPs.

“An increase in investment for community pharmacy will deliver a better return for the NHS than the ARRS scheme ever can, catering for many more patients, conveniently and effectively,” Jones said.

“We urgently need a contractual settlement for community pharmacies that provides immediate financial relief and long-term stability for the community pharmacy network.”

The number of full-time equivalent pharmacists employed in practices has increased, according to NHS Digital’s latest figures. Last month, there were 1,985 pharmacists compared with 1,971 in January this year.

Last week, the health secretary Wes Streeting told parliament: “These awards are above forecast inflation over the 2026-27 pay year, meaning that the Government is delivering a real-terms pay rise, on top of those in preceding years, underlining the extent to which we value our doctors and dentists.”