CPAF (Community Pharmacy Assurance Framework)
CPAF is a requirement of the Terms of Service.
All pharmacy owners must complete the annual screening questionnaire within the given time period and, if selected, the full CPAF questionnaire.
What is CPAF?
NHS England’s regional teams are responsible for monitoring the delivery of Essential and Advanced services, while arrangements for overseeing locally commissioned services are typically defined in local contracts or Service Level Agreements. They use the Community Pharmacy Assurance Framework (CPAF) to assess whether community pharmacy owners are complying with the requirements of the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF).
CPAF consists of the following components:
- Pre-visit questionnaire – completed by the pharmacy owner ahead of a monitoring visit, focusing on key contractual and quality requirements. Click here to view the 2025/26 pre-visit questionnaire.
- Monitoring visit tool – used by the commissioner during a visit to assess compliance with the CPCF Terms of Service.
CPAF Requirements for Pharmacy Owners
In accordance with the Terms of Service, pharmacy owners are obliged to provide NHS England with any information requested during an inspection. This may include:
- Completed CPAF screening or full questionnaires
- Supporting documentation
- Access to relevant electronic records
As a result, completing and submitting CPAF documentation is a contractual requirement when formally requested and forms part of routine contractual assurance. Pharmacy owners are expected to:
- Complete questionnaires accurately
- Return them within the specified timeframe
- Ensure supporting evidence is readily accessible
CPCI is available to support is available if clarification or preparation guidance is needed, please either contact us here or use the request a visit form.
Preparing for a CPAF visit
| If you have received notification of a CPAF visit and would like support, please either contact us here or use the request a visit form. |
Prior to your visit, please ensure:
- The CPAF questionnaire has been completed accurately and submitted within the required timeframe
- All SOPs are up to date, regularly reviewed, and easily accessible
- Staff are familiar with key procedures and able to explain them clearly
- Service documentation is current
- Clinical records and governance evidence are well organised
- Proof of required training is available and easy to access
Please also review the CPE CPAF webpage and other resources available in the links below.
