From 1 October 2026, West and North London Integrated Care Board (WNL ICB) will introduce a new Community Pharmacy Palliative Care Medicines Service across the former North West London boroughs. The service aims to improve access to essential medicines for patients approaching the end of life by supporting timely symptom management, patient choice and care closer to home.

Selected community pharmacies will maintain agreed stocks of commonly prescribed palliative care medicines, with a number of pharmacies holding an extended range of specialist medicines to support prompt supply during pharmacy opening hours. Participating pharmacies will work closely with GPs, specialist palliative care services and other healthcare professionals to help ensure patients can access urgently required medicines when they are unavailable from their usual pharmacy.

Healthcare professionals are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the participating pharmacies and, where appropriate, contact the pharmacy in advance to confirm medicine availability before directing patients.

The ICB welcomes feedback from healthcare professionals regarding the service, including compliments, suggestions, and complaints. For feedback please contact the WNL Medicines Optimisation Team at: wnlicb.mpt@nhs.net