Whether it will review the National Health Service (Pharmaceutical Services) (Scotland) Regulations 2009 to take account of situations wher…

The National Health Service (Pharmaceutical Services) (Scotland) Regulations 2009 state that, when an application is made to a Health Board to open a community pharmacy in its area, its Area Pharmaceutical Committee and its Area Medical Committee must be notified, and that they may make written representations to that Board and their Pharmacy Practices Committee. It is the Pharmacy Practices Committee which considers such applications on behalf of the Board. As part of that process, GPs, including dispensing GPs, can make their views known through the Area Medical Committee.
It is not possible under the current legislative framework to allow a Health Board''s Pharmacy Practices Committee to take into account the financial effect on dispensing GP practices in cases where an application to open a pharmacy in the area is successful. This would require amendment to a number of pieces of legislation, including the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978. Our current consultation Review of the Control of Entry Arrangements, published on 22 March 2010, is looking at the National Health Service (Pharmaceutical Services) (Scotland) Regulations 2009. Any further views on these issues are welcome.