To ask the Minister of Health (i) whether any assessment has been made of the impact of differences in pay and terms and conditions between pharmacists employed by GP Federations and those employed directly by Health and Social Care while undertaking comparable clinical roles; and (ii) whether there is any policy that pharmacists carrying out equivalent roles should receive equivalent pay and terms and conditions.

My Department has not undertaken any assessment of the impact of differences in pay and terms and conditions between pharmacists employed by GP Federations and those employed directly by Health and Social Care (HSC). The level of pay, and the terms and conditions of a pharmacist is determined by their employment status. General Practice Pharmacists (GPPs) are employed by GP Federations, and it is the responsibility of GP Federations to determine the pay and terms and conditions of GPPs.

Pay uplifts to GP Federations for GPPs, made by my Department, are made on the basis of the Doctors Dentists Pay Review Board (DDRB). My Department has, however, worked with Federations in order to identify whether acceleration of prescribing savings, through adherence to best practice and cost-effective prescribing guidance could be linked to additional investment into the GPP service, thereby enabling the possible alignment of pay and terms and conditions.