COVID-19 Cost Claims: Contractor Update

As contractors will be aware, the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) has been processing the COVID-19 cost claims submitted by contractors this summer.

PSNC is pleased to report that the overwhelming majority of community pharmacy contractors submitted a claim for their COVID-19 costs. The total claimed for is significantly higher than the £120 million offered initially to the sector by HM Government and rejected by PSNC.

The Drug Tariff outlined the categories according to which contractors could claim and clearly stated that claims would be subject to pre and post-payment verification. PSNC is now engaged in urgent discussions with NHSBSA and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) about any outliers identified.

PSNC is also demanding that contractors receive a payment for their COVID-19 costs in time for the first repayment of last year’s Advance Payments. These discussions are ongoing, and PSNC will update contractors as soon as we have more information.