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...
The OFT report recommends that regulations currently controlling entry to the industry should be lifted to allow any registered pharmacy with qualified staff to dispense NHS prescriptions. ...
The OFT found that regulations which currently control entry to the industry:
• restrict consumer choice and convenience in terms of location of pharmacies and opening hours
• restrict access to lower priced OTC medicines resulting in consumers paying around £30m a year more than in a deregulated market
• reduce incentives for pharmacies to compete on additional customer services
• cost businesses an estimated £16m in compliance costs every year
• cost the NHS approximately £10m a year in administration costs
• hold back innovation and responsiveness to changing and growing consumer needs.
Under the regulations, pharmacists can dispense NHS prescriptions only if local health authorities are satisfied that this is necessary or desirable for the adequate provision of pharmaceutical services in the local community. ... For England and Wales they are now contained in the National Health Service (Pharmaceutical Services) Regulations 1992; for Scotland, the National Health Service (Pharmaceutical Services) (Scotland) Regulations 1995; and for Northern Ireland, the Pharmaceutical Services Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997.
Approximate Word count = 743
Approximate Pages = 3
(250 words per page double spaced)
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