The Independent Pharmacy Federation, which represents independent community pharmacists, has attacked as “shocking” figures which show that most pharmacists have been underpaid over £4,000 each on their prescriptions in the two year period from April 2009 to March 2011. The figures come from the NHS Business Services Authority report, and shows that 82% of the 434 contractors who had requested a re-check of what they had been paid, discovered a massive shortfall. Claire Ward, CEO of the IPF, said that the figures were particularly shocking as contractors are meant to have confidence in the system for paying them.
She added: “Handing out £500 in compensation is simply not the answer to this scandal. We need a system that not only values pharmacy but pays it appropriately. What other profession would put up with being routinely underpaid whilst at the same time getting chunks of money sliced away as a result of budget cuts and Cat M?”