Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions he has had with bodies that represent pharmacists, GPs and other stakeholders on prescription direction; and if he will make a statement.

All patients are free to choose whichever pharmacy they wish to receive their dispensed medicines and other National Health Service pharmaceutical services. We deprecate any action which seeks unduly to influence patients towards, or away from, choosing a particular pharmacy.

The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee, Pharmacy Voice and the British Medical Association issued a joint statement in October 2013 calling on general practitioners to avoid activities which are against good practice. A copy can be found at the following link:

http://psnc.org.uk/contract-it/pharmacy-regulation/direction-of-prescriptions/

Officials at the Department have met pharmacists’ representatives to discuss the direction of prescriptions on several occasions to hear their concerns. NHS England is currently reviewing the evidence and is meeting pharmacists’ and medical representatives this month to consider the position and what further action may be appropriate.