When we look at the graph showing the number of concessions granted each month it does appear to have a series of concession cycles, with the first one starting in 2017, the second in 2022 and the third starting at the end of 2025.
Therefore, we thought we’d compare the three and try to get to grips with why they might be happening.
The concession graph shows that the number of concessions does seem to grow quickly in the first 18 months and then decline gradually in the succeeding 30 months.
We can’t find any relationship with the Pharmacy contract, which would be the obvious reason for increasing the number of concessions granted.
DHSC budgetary cycles are annual, spending reviews are multi year but not four year, the treasury does not use four your cycles and parliamentary accountability cycles are year by year rather than every four years.
So it’s a mystery. The concessions tend to come in four year cycles, they get more intense with more concessions granted as cycle succeeds cycle, but we can’t see a reason for the four year regularity, can you?
Concessions Review
Concessions Review 2