Pharmacies given more freedom under Government shake-up
New regulations announced today by the Government will see restrictions on where and when pharmacies can open lifted.
The changes fall short though of the complete deregulations recommended by the Office of Fair Trading in its 2003 report. Its recommendations for deregulations were met with hostility from community pharmacists who feared having to compete with the big supermarkets.
The OFT, however, had argued that deregulation would lower prices and provide greater choice for the consumer.
Under today’s proposals, pharmacists will be able to open longer and out of town supermarkets will be able to open instore 24-hour pharmacies.
To safeguard community pharmacies, pharmacies located in shopping centres over 15,000 square metres, must be away from town centres and those that plan to open more than 100 hours per week must stick to this commitment. If they do not consistently remain open for 100 hours a week- the equivalent of just over 14 hours a day- their NHS license will be revoked.
Those that are set up by consortia establishing one-stop primary care centres must offer additional services in addition to usual GP service, for example dentistry.
Finally, those that are wholly internet or mail-order based must provide a fully professional service. Previously, only pharmacists that also offered a counter service could dispense medicines by the Internet or mail order. This regulation will be eased, though the Department of Health insists it will keep a close eye on any such operations.
All applications which fall into these four categories and offer a range of services determined by local health authorities will have their applications automatically accepted.
Primary Care Trusts will, however, be able to reject any application which does not promise to provide the required “essential services” under the proposed new pharmaceutical contract.
Launching the plans, Health Minister Rosie Winterton, said: “These reforms continue to support the Government’s aim to put the needs of patients first, ensuring that local health services reflect the changing lifestyles and needs of patients. We are maintaining the vital role played by community pharmacies, particularly in poorer and rural areas, many of whom are small businesses.
“We are determined to improve access to, and the choice of, pharmacy services and to encourage innovation and excellence so that community pharmacy is recognised as a key player in the provision of NHS services.
“These reforms will provide an environment in which community pharmacy services can thrive.”
The Government will consult on these regulatory changes and intends to implement the changes as soon as possible. Some of the changes will require primary legislation, which the Government intends to introduce “when parliamentary time permits”.
