To ask Her Majesty's Government how the Pharmacy Integration Fund has been spent; and what plans they have for the future of the fund.

The Pharmacy Integration Fund (PhIF) has been used to support the employment of pharmacists in integrated urgent care, general practice and care homes where their expert knowledge of medicines is helping to ensure the best care for patients. It has also been used to fund pilots of the supply of urgent medicines to patients without the need for a general practitioner appointment as well as the referral of patients, presenting with minor illness, direct from NHS111 or NHS Online to community pharmacy. These programmes are aimed at better utilising the skillset and reach of community pharmacy teams to support the wider health service. They are being underpinned by several new education and leadership programmes which are also being funded by the PhIF.

The Government remains committed to this programme and we are continuing to invest in the development of community pharmacy through this fund. Most recently, NHS England announced their plans for a new pilot scheme, with investment of £1 million from the PhIF, to develop system leadership within pharmacy. These pharmacy leaders will set the vision for pharmacy and medicines optimisation within their area, and will support the delivery of a NHS Pharmacy and Medicines Optimisation Transformation Plan, making the best use of pharmacy in meeting local and national health priorities.