Pharmacy Quality Scheme (PQS) 2026/27

The PQS formally launched on 2nd June 2026. See full details here.

Funding - The scheme is comprised of two Domains: Domain 1 - Medicines Optimisation & Patient Safety and Domain 2 - Professional Practice. 
Each Domain is worth 15 points (30 points in total) for pharmacies dispensing more than 1800 items per year. Each point will be worth between £64.20 and £128.40, dependent upon the number of pharmacies participating. The payment for full completion will be a minimum of £1926 up to a maximum of £3852.

Gateway Criteria - As in previous years, eligibility for the scheme is dependent upon meeting Gateway Criteria which this year relates to Palliative and End of Life Care (PEoLC). To qualify you must meet all  parts of the Gateway Criteria.

a) PEoLC Questionnaire - The questionnaire will be accessible from the NHSBSA website from August 2026.

 b) Pharmacy Palliative Care Medication Stockholder - As soon as possible after 2nd June 2026 and by the end of 31st March 2027, the pharmacy owner must have updated NHS Profile Manager to show they are a ‘Pharmacy

palliative care medication stockholder’ if they routinely hold the 16 palliative and end of life critical medicines and can support local access to parenteral haloperidol.

 c) PEoLC Action Plan - By the end of 31st March 2027, pharmacy owners must have an action plan in place to use when they do not have the required stock of the 16 palliative and end of life critical medicines and/or parenteral haloperidol available for a patient.

Action and Evidence Portfolio Workbook now available – CPE’s PQS 2026/27 Action and Evidence Portfolio Workbook is now available. The workbook includes the PQS Drug Tariff wording, key dates, a checklist, and a template action plan. It provides questions for teams to assess their compliance with the Gateway Criteria / Domains and suggests evidence to confirm requirements are met by 31st March 2027. Access the workbook here. See more details and other resources here.