Department of Health

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Medicines and pharmacy

A pair of hands holding a bottle of tablets.

This section contains information on the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries, medicines, prescribing and prescription forms, NHS charges and exemptions, local pharmaceutical services (LPS) pilots and local pharmaceutical budgets

Latest updates

Ten PCTs to be added to the Electronic Prescription Service Authorisation Directions from 1 May 2010

Published: 01/02/2010. 1st February 2010 marks the start of the three month notice period before the following PCTs will be able to authorise their prescribers to operate Release 2 of the Electronic Prescription Service: Bexley, Bolton, Bury, Croydon, Hull, North East Essex, North Lincolnshire, Oldham, Salford, Tameside & Glossop.

The proposals to implement 'generic substitution' in primary care, further to the Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme (PPRS) 2009. Consultation document

Published: 05/01/2010

This Consultation seeks for views on options for the implementation of generic substitution in England

New arrangements under Part IX of the Drug Tariff for the provision of stoma and urology appliances, and related services, in primary care

Published: 22/12/2009

The new arrangements, as announced in April 2009 arising out of the Part IX Review for the supply of certain appliances in primary care require changes to the NHS Pharmaceutical Service Regulations, Directions and amendments to the Drug Tariff.

SHA process for PCTs to be listed in the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) Authorisation Directions 2008 as amended.

Published: 02/12/2009

A letter and supporting documents have been issued to set out the process that all SHAs will need to follow to request Secretary of State directions, to enable PCTs to authorise their primary medical services contractors or any practice established by the PCT to use Release 2 of the Electronic Transmission of Prescriptions (ETP) service.

General Pharmaceutical Council (Constitution) Order 2009: a paper for consultation

Published: 27/10/2009

This consultation seeks views on a proposed constitution for the General Pharmaceutical Council, the terms of office of council members and criteria for the disqualification, suspension or removal of members from office.

Advisory Group on the NHS (Pharmaceutical Services) Regulations

This group, drawn from leading interested parties, has been set up to advise on regulations, subject to Parliamentary approval, needed to translate into reality proposals in the Health Bill 2009.

Consultation document

Published: 01/12/2009

Consultation document asking for views on draft regulations and guidance on PCTs publishing pharmaceutical needs assessments

Additional links

Also on this site

Health Act 2009

Following the consultation in 2008, the Bill reforms current arrangements for pharmacies applying to provide NHS services and how performance meets required standards to ensure they are providing high quality services responsive to local needs.

Exemption from charges for cancer patients and for people with long term conditions

Following the Prime Minister’s announcement regarding extending exemption from prescription charges for cancer patients and for people with long term conditions, the Department has set up a review on the introduction of exemptions for people with long term conditions, which will be led by President of the Royal College of Physicians, Professor Ian Gilmore. This review will conclude Summer 2009. The exemption arrangements for cancer patients will be in place from 1 April 2009, and the exemption for patients with long term conditions will be phased in over the next few years.

Private drugs review

Following Professor Mike Richards's review and a consultation, guidance has now been published :

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