Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has announced £4m for community pharmacy to provide support towards the recent increases in National Insurance.
The full announcement can be read HERE.
Gerard Greene, Chief Executive of Community Pharmacy Northern Ireland (CPNI) has welcomed the news that the Health Minister has made funding available to help support community pharmacies in meeting the additional cost of new National Insurance Contributions which came into effect from April 2025.
He said,
“We welcome the news that £4million has been earmarked for community pharmacies facing the impact of increased staff costs resulting from the new employer National Insurance Contributions introduced in April 2025.
“We have worked closely with the Minister to ensure that the financial impact of these increased staff costs is understood. We have estimated that the total cost of national minimum wage rises, coupled with the NIC cost increases on the sector will be c£12million in this financial year. These costs fall directly to pharmacy owners to cover, while trying to balance the books in the face of other mounting financial pressures.
“Further stabilising investment is needed for Community Pharmacy so that the sector can continue to work with the Department of Health to maximise the impact of community based pharmacy services which treat and care for people close to home, take pressure off GPs and hospitals and support the Minister’s vision for transformation of healthcare in Northern Ireland.”