National services
The community pharmacy contractual framework with the NHS (CPCF) outlines three types of services:
- Essential services – These are the nationally set, mandatory services that community pharmacies must provide as part of their contract with the NHS if they are to operate providing NHS services. It includes the dispensing of medicines and medical appliances, the disposal of unwanted or spare medicines, advising patients on self-care, providing advice on healthy living and providing medicines support following a hospital discharge
- Locally Commissioned Services – Community pharmacies can also be contracted to provide locally commissioned services. These are optional services such as Sexual Health service e.g. Emergency Hormone Contraceptive services. Alongside services commissioned by the NHS and other public bodies they may also provide private services – services not commissioned by public bodies, eg, travel health advice.