Internet prescriptions to go ahead

Last updated at 12:08 18 August 2004


New rules making it easier for pharmacies to open and increasing opportunities for patients to acquire prescriptions over the internet were announced by the Government today.

The Department of Health unveiled its plans to relax regulations to make it easier and faster for new chemists to start work, while increasing access to a wider range of services for patients locally.

There will be greater opportunities for online or mail-order based pharmacies to apply for licences to dispense NHS prescriptions, providing they offer a fully-professional service.

The new rules follow a public consultation with advice from patients and pharmacists.

Tight restrictions on licences to open pharmacies will be lifted for those committed to opening for more than 100 hours a week, so long as they stick to this commitment.

This will benefit supermarkets wanting to run pharmacies in their 24-hour stores.

The DoH said the changes would benefit others willing to open for longer that 100 hours, such as two young pharmacists who wanted to work shifts to comply with the new regulatory freedoms.

Rules will be relaxed for pharmacies located in shopping centres over 15,000 square metres, as long as they are away from town centres.

They will also be eased for pharmacies set up by consortia establishing new, "one-stop" primary care centres which offer a wide range of primary care and community based services in addition to usual GP services, such as dentistry.

At present, licences are handed out by Primary Care Trusts on the basis of desirability and necessity.

But new licences are rarely granted because independent chemists invariably object.

Now all pharmacy applications that fall into one of the four categories and offer a full range of services will automatically have their applications to provide NHS pharmacy services accepted.

Some people have voiced fears that the easing of regulations will be a threat to smaller, community pharmacists.

But Health Minister Rosie Winterton said there was "a very bright future" for community pharmacy.

"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," Ms Winterton said.

"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."

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