Pharmacy Quality Scheme (PQS) 2025-26
Pharmacy Quality Scheme (PQS)
A smaller than usual PQS will run in 2025/26. The scheme will continue to be an optional part of the CPCF and pharmacy owners that choose to participate will be able to claim an Aspiration payment in May for payment on 1st July 2025. In summary, the scheme will consist of the following elements
| Gateway criteria | The pharmacy must be registered for and able to provide Pharmacy First and the Contraception Service |
| Medicines Optimisation domain
30 points |
Palliative and End of Life Care: Pharmacies must develop or update a Palliative and End of Life Care action plan and if they stock the 16 Palliative and End of Life Care medications, update their Directory of Services profile to confirm this.
Introduction of Depression into the NMS: all pharmacists must complete the CPPE Consulting with people with mental health problems online training. There is no online assessment for this training. Respiratory:
Emergency Contraception: all pharmacist must complete the CPPE Emergency contraception training and pass the online assessment, and Contraception Service must also complete that training programme and pass the online assessment. |
| Patient Safety domain
20 points |
Pharmacy First: completion of a national clinical audit focused on antimicrobial stewardship within the Pharmacy First Service.
All registered professionals must have completed the CPPE Sepsis training and pass the associated online assessment. Enhanced DBS check: must have been undertaken for all registered pharmacy professionals within the last three years. |
