The Pharmosphere blog

Practical, primary-sourced guides for UK pharmacists — locum pay and tax, NHS services, funding and career — written and reviewed by a pharmacist. No fluff, current figures, sources cited.

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Two community pharmacists reviewing a document together in the dispensary, with NHS pharmacy shelving and signage behind them

Business & funding

The 2026/27 pharmacy contract, in plain English

The 2026/27 Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework brings a 10.3% funding rise, a higher dispensing fee and a new NHS prescribing offer — but what does £3.636 billion actually mean for your pay at the bench? A fact-checked breakdown.

Umeed Sanjesh, MPharm· Mon, 6 Jul 2026

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A pharmacist in a suit and tie walking along a UK high street past a community pharmacy

Career & practice

Your first locum shift: a pharmacist's checklist

A practical, no-nonsense checklist for your first locum pharmacy shift — what to sort before you accept, the day before, when you arrive, and how to protect yourself and get paid.

Umeed Sanjesh, MPharm· Wed, 1 Jul 2026

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