We received a petition asking:
“We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to change The Pharmacy White Paper so that doctor’s surgeries are not prevented from dispensing medication to patients.”
Details of Petition:
“The effect of this would be that branch surgeries, particularly in rural areas, would not be able to dispense medicines to patients, forcing them to make longer journeys to a pharmacy. This would be particularly onerous for older patients, young families and for those without personal transport. It could also result in branch surgeries becoming less viable with the same or worse consequences.”
· Read the petition
· Petitions homepage
Read the Government’s response
There is no intention to abolish dispensing doctors. They play a key role in ensuring that the public continues to have access to appropriate pharmaceutical services. Any patient who has serious difficulty getting to a pharmacy can ask to have their medicines dispensed by the doctor. While the White Paper sets out suggestions, no decision has been taken on the criteria to be used in future for patients to receive pharmaceutical services from their GP.
The consultation document launched on 27 August 2008 fulfils the White Paper commitment to publish fuller information on a number of proposals for structural change and to consult on them. The consultation, which runs until 20 November 2008, provides everyone with an opportunity to contribute, healthcare professional and patients alike. Any final decisions will be taken in the light of the responses and feedback received, and will take into account the effect of the proposals on the overall provision of primary medical services in areas where dispensing doctors are located.
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