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Community pharmacy in England
Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) are responsible for securing NHS pharmaceutical services in their area. The majority of community pharmacists provide services under a contractual framework for community pharmacy agreed for England and Wales between the Department, the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) and NHS Employers, introduced from April 2005.
PCTs can also contract locally for provision of pharmaceutical and other services, including services not traditionally associated with pharmacy, within a single Local Pharmaceutical Services (LPS) contract.
Implementation of the Health Act 2006 (now consolidated as part of the NHS Act 2006)
The NHS Act 2006 contains a measure to amend NHS pharmacy service primary legislation to charge for pharmaceutical applications. This measure represents one of the final elements of the Government’s response to the 2003 Office of Fair Trading report on control of entry. The amendment introduces, through Directions to PCTs, a charging regime for applicants applying to provide NHS pharmaceutical services as a contribution towards NHS costs.
Below are links to the final directions, the final Impact Assessment and guidance for PCTs on implementation, Implementing the Health Act 2006: NHS (Pharmaceutical Services) (Amendment) Regulations 2008: Information for Primary Care Trusts.
Contractual framework for community pharmacy
The contractual framework for community pharmacy, which came into effect in 2005, provides PCTs and pharmacies with opportunities to work effectively together to meet the needs of the local population.
NHS (Pharmaceutical Services) Regulations
These regulations govern the provision of NHS pharmaceutical services as administered by primary care trusts and include regulations concerning control of entry procedures; fitness to practise procedures for pharmacist and appliance contractors and bodies corporate; and terms of service for pharmacists, appliance contractors and dispensing doctors under the national pharmacy contractual framework
Local Pharmaceutical Services (LPS)
LPS is a tool available to PCTs by which they may contract locally for provision of pharmaceutical and other services, including services not traditionally associated with pharmacy, within a single contract.
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Find your nearest pharmacy
You can find your nearest local pharmacy by selecting “pharmacists” on:
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