Payments to New Contractors

Financial Framework · 2025-26

Non-Global Sum

Special payment arrangements for brand new contractors in their first months on the pharmaceutical list — supporting cashflow while a dispensing history is established.

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At a Glance

Key Figures

Month 1 Advance

Up to
£18,000

(Days open ÷ 31) × £18,000

Dispensing Pool Minimum

£750

Per month until 3 consecutive months of dispensing history available.

M:CR Minimum

£600

No ±10% cap — new contractors can exceed registrations target.

Monthly Entitlements

What New Contractors Receive Each Month

Payment

Amount

Notes

Establishment Payment

£2,500

Standard monthly fixed payment.

Dispensing Pool Allocation

£750 minimum

£750/month until 3 consecutive months of dispensing activity available. Then the greater of £750 or the calculated amount. Thereafter, the calculated amount.

Pharmaceutical Needs Payment

Combined index of 1

Amount due for a contractor with a combined PNWP index of 1.0.

M:CR Capitation Payment

£600 minimum

Minimum monthly payment. New contractors can exceed the registrations target and are not restricted to the ±10% variance.

Service Efficiency Payment

£150 target

Target payment if the 80% SE threshold is achieved.

Quality & Service Development

QI activities

2025-26 QI activities must be completed to qualify for payment.

PHS Payment

Per activity

In line with activity for smoking cessation, EHC and other public health services.

Advance Payment

How the Advance is Calculated Month by Month

Month 1 Formula

Advance =
No. of days open 31
× £18,000
1
Month 1
(Days open ÷ 31) × £18,000 — regardless of whether the pharmacy opened on the 1st or mid-month.
2
Month 2
Opened 1st: % of average payment set for all contractors.
Opened after 1st: (Days in month ÷ 31) × £18,000.
3+
Month 3 Onwards
% of average payment for all contractors using actual months available. Once 12 months of data exists, always uses the latest 12-month average.

Dispensing Pool — Retrospective Adjustment

If £750 Doesn't Reflect Your Activity

Where a contractor recently added to the list considers that the £750 payment does not fairly reflect their share of overall dispensing activity in the first 3 months of operation, they may request a retrospective adjustment.

Requests must be submitted to NSS Practitioner Services at nss.psdhelp@nhs.scot within 9 months of the dispensing months concerned. This provision applies to dispensing months from April 2025 onwards.

Where the total due is less than £750 already paid — no further action will be taken. Where the amount exceeds £750, an adjustment will be made as soon as practical, including retrospective payment where necessary.