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Medicines and pharmacy
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
Improving pharmaceutical services
Following on from the pharmacy White Paper comes a guide to help PCTs improve commissioning.
Proposals for legislative changes in pharmacy in England
Following the Pharmacy White Paper, there was a consultation on its proposals for structural changes. This report analyses responses on proposals relating to legislation.
Pharmacy in England: building on strengths - delivering the future
This White Paper sets out a vision for building on the strengths of pharmacy, using that capacity and capability to deliver further improvements in pharmaceutical services over the coming years as part of an overall strategy to ensure safe, effective, fairer and more personalised patient care.
Health Bill 2009
Following consultation, this Bill reforms the current arrangements for pharmacies applying to provide NHS services.
Patients who wish to pay for additional private care
Following Professor Mike Richard's report, preliminary guidance and a consultation, the Department published final guidance for patients who want to pay for additional private care but not lose their entitlement to NHS care.
Choosing health through pharmacy
A resource for pharmacists, PCTs, NHS Trusts and public health organisations to help maximise the contribution of pharmacists, their staff and the premises in which they work to improve health and reduce inequalities.
Additional links
Related links
- National framework for Pharmacists with Special Interests
- A vision for pharmacy in the new NHS
- Pharmacy in the future: implementing the NHS Plan
- Guidance for the development of consultant pharmacist posts
- Primary care contracting
- Pharmacy section on the primary care contracting website (opens new window)
Health Bill 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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