The PSNC is concerned over a review of out-of-hours medical services, which could lead to an expansion of doctor dispensing. The PSNC chairman (Mr Wally Dove) told The Journal on November 13 that if pharmacies did not respond to demands for out-of-hours dispensing then general medical practitioners would expand the range of medicines they carried for immediate supply. So far as the supply of medicines was concerned, the review recommended that patients should be able to get any medicines they needed at the same time and in the same place as any out-of-hours consultation. It recommended changing remuneration and contractual arrangements so that this could happen. This opens up a whole new area of dispensing to GPs," Mr Dove said. "Each local pharmaceutical committee should read this report and draw up a response." "Raising standards for patients: new partnerships in out-of-hours care", Department of Health, PO Box 777, London SE1 6XH (fax 01623 724524, e-mail doh@prologistics.co.uk). Also available on the internet at www.doh.gov.uk/pricare/oohreport.htm.