Group items tagged

The regulatory amendments proposed will enable pharmacists to dispense medicines in their original packaging for private prescriptions starting this Autumn, according to the Department of Health and Social Care. In the recently published draft OPD regulations, the DHSC has indicated that the alterations, permitting pharmacists to vary the dispensed quantity by up to 10 per cent to avoid splitting medicine packs, will be implemented for private prescriptions 'immediately upon the enforcement of the Human Medicines Amendment Regulations in the autumn,' as highlighted in a briefing by Community Pharmacy England. CPE stated that the regulations related to NHS prescriptions will come into effect when the pharmaceutical terms of service regulations expressly apply the OPD amendments. Moreover, new directive mandating the dispensing of sodium valproate products solely in their original packaging (except when an assessment of risk necessitates an alternative approach) will align with the rollout of the private prescription regulations during the autumn. CPE further noted that these regulations are currently in draft, indicating that they are not currently in effect and may undergo revisions prior to their implementation.

Pharmacies in England will soon be allowed to dispense up to 10 per cent more or less than the quantity prescribed for NHS prescriptions, thanks to the introduction of new original pack dispensing (OPD) rules. These changes are part of regulatory amendments laid on Tuesday, 3 September, and will come into effect over the coming months. The amendments are being made to the National Health Service (Pharmaceutical and Local Pharmaceutical Services) Regulations 2024 (PLPS). Starting 1 January 2025, pharmacies will have the option to adjust the prescribed quantity by up to 10 per cent for NHS prescriptions so medicines can be supplied in their original manufacturer's pack. Earlier in October 2023, changes to the Human Medicines Regulations (HMRs) permitted pharmacies to dispense up to 10 per cent more or less than the prescribed quantity for private prescriptions of Prescription Only Medicines (POMs).

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has submitted evidence to the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Pharmacy inquiry into medicines shortages in England. In its submission, the organisation has called on the government to develop a national strategy to address medicine shortages and change legislation to allow community pharmacists to amend prescriptions when medicines are in short supply. Tase Oputu, RPS England Board chair, welcomed the inquiry, and emphasised that medicines shortages continue to impact patients and the work of pharmacists daily. The RPS's evidence draws on its report, Medicines Shortages: Solutions for Shelves, which examines the issue in detail. The report revealed that pharmacy teams are spending more time chasing medicines supplies, identifying and switching patients to alternative medicines, taking their time away from other clinical activities.

The growing issue of medicine shortages is posing significant challenges for both patients and pharmacy teams across the UK. According to new data from the Office for National Statistics, 20 per cent of adults who used pharmacy prescription services in the last 28 days experienced delays in receiving their medications. The survey, Experiences of NHS healthcare services in England, revealed that over 13 per cent of patients had to return to the same pharmacy at a later time to obtain their prescriptions. Many patients were forced to visit multiple pharmacies or seek alternative services such as a GP or urgent care due to medicine shortages. Pharmacy teams were added with extra burden to manage and resolve these issues. Despite these challenges, 85 per cent of patients expressed satisfaction with pharmacy services, reflecting the dedication and value of pharmacists and pharmacy teams in the community.

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) in England and 19 other organisations have written to health secretary Wes Streeting, calling for a cohesive cross-government strategy to tackle medicine shortages across the UK. The letter stresses the need for actions to build supply chain resilience, support UK manufacturing, improve data connectivity, protect access to life-critical medicines, and reduce duplication across the NHS. As the government works on its 10-Year NHS Plan, the signatories emphasise the importance of ensuring patients' continued access to vital medicines, which are "an investment in their health." They underscore that the strategy would require engagement by the government across the NHS and the whole of the medicines supply chain, including manufacturers, suppliers, health professions, and patients. The letter also highlights that delays in accessing medicines could be reduced by changing legislation to empower community pharmacists to make minor amendments to prescriptions when shortages occur.