The new GP contract was published today, setting out the latest updates and changes for general practice.
Weight loss injections
Today’s announcement on the new GP contract confirms that patients with severe obesity and related comorbidities will be supported by their GP to access weight loss support programmes and weight loss injections.
Malcolm Harrison, Chief Executive of the Company Chemists’ Association (CCA) said:
“This is a clear step towards strengthening efforts to reduce obesity, however it is limited in ambition.
Community pharmacies already play an important role in providing weight loss treatments safely and effectively, both in-person and online, supported by established clinical pathways and strong patient safeguards.
There is a clear opportunity for the government to build on this expertise and commission an NHS weight management service through community pharmacy. Expanding access in this way would not only help more patients receive support but would also help millions access it faster.
Obesity is a national problem and needs national support, delivered at scale. This is where pharmacy excels. Pharmacy-enabled support would ensure the best outcomes for patients and reduce the burden of obesity on the NHS and the wider economy.”
Childhood vaccinations
Changes to the GP contract 2026/27 will provide improvement payments to GP practices making progress on boosting childhood vaccination uptake. Previously, only those GP practices hitting high vaccination rate targets earnt additional incentive payments. See the DHSC announcement from 22/02.
Pharmacies already administer some child vaccines but there is great potential for them to administer more.
Malcolm Harrison, Chief Executive of the CCA said:
“The UK losing its measles-free status and the measles outbreak in England show there is much more the country needs to do to drive uptake of childhood vaccines.
Pharmacies began administering the nasal flu spray vaccine to children aged two and three from last October and were involved in an MMR vaccine pilot for 5-11 year olds in 2024. The sector has been administering millions of adult flu and covid vaccinations for years now.
It’s imperative that every possible lever is pulled to reverse waning uptake and community pharmacies must be unshackled to deliver a greater range of childhood vaccines.
The CCA launched the Pharmacy Vaccinations Development Group (PVDG) two years ago to explore how community pharmacy could play a larger role in administering a whole range of NHS vaccines.”