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Community Pharmacy England’s negotiating committee has said it would be “inappropriate” for the time being to back a legal probe into the issue pharmacies being required to dispense medicines at a loss. 

This follows the Independent Pharmacies Association’s announcement last week that it planned to seek legal advice with regard to what it described as “ludicrous” regulations that require pharmacies to dispense medicines at a loss. 

In a report on its April 22-23 committee meeting, CPE said the matter had been raised by IPA representatives who were present. 

CPE commented: “The specific questions on which legal advice would be sought have not been shared with us.

“As with seeking any legal advice, the need for these questions to be very carefully considered and drafted is key to maximising both the usefulness of the advice and the value from any spend.

“The IPA’s proposal was discussed at the committee meeting and the committee’s view was that it would be inappropriate for CPE to be involved at this time. 

CPE said this view was supported by committee chair Dame Jenny Harries.

The negotiator said its position on dispensing at a loss is “very clear,” describing the current market dynamics as “unsustainable” and explaining that it has “long argued for a complete reset and reform of the margin system”.

CPE added: “We have taken appropriate independent and legal advice on how to re-shape the system over several years. 

“We continue to make representations to Government in this, and previous negotiations, on how to avoid dispensing at a loss, ensure a complete reset of margin and deliver reimbursement reform.”