25 June 2010
Control of Entry Consultation Response
Crucial consultation on Scottish pharmacy
launched
The Scottish Government recently held a consultation on the
'Control of Entry Arrangements' that govern the application process
for new NHS community pharmacy contracts.
This is a crucial consultation, with doctors in dispensing
practices lobbying Scotland's politicians to protect their status
and the income received from dispensing medicines. RPSGB is taking
a strong position to promote patient interest and access to
community pharmacy services in Scotland.
Bodies representing dispensing GP practices are demanding that
any practice likely to be affected by the award of a new NHS
pharmacy contract should have the right to make direct
representation to the Pharmacy Practices Committee (PPC)
considering the application, and for the Committee to have a duty
to consider the impact on that practice's income of allowing a new
pharmacy to open.
The Society will respond positively to proposals in the
consultation that will improve the application process.
However, we are adamant that the fundamental principle of providing
patients with the best possible pharmaceutical care should not be
compromised.
Lyndon Braddick, RPSGB Director for Scotland, said, "The
Scottish Government's health action plan 'Better Health, Better
Care' not only acknowledged the important role community pharmacy
plays in the nation's healthcare, but also encouraged the expansion
of that role. That could be hindered by unnecessary changes
to the Control of Entry Arrangements, making the application
process more complicated and reducing the focus on determining
local need for the range of NHS pharmacy services."
"The Society has been pointing out to MSPs that the current
application system for new pharmacy contracts actually works
well. There are examples of applications being approved and
rejected, depending on how the PPC views the best way to ensure
local pharmaceutical care for patients. In addition, there
are no examples of GP practices having to close following the
opening of a community pharmacy.
"It is important that the profession is heard on this crucial
issue. We need to ensure that providing patients with the
best possible pharmaceutical care remains the central principle in
deciding whether or not to allow an application for a new NHS
pharmacy contract."
Read
our consultation response »
Read the
Scottish Government consultation document »
For further information on this consultation please contact the
RPSGB Scottish Office on 0131 556 4386 or email iain.brotchie@rpsgb.org