The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 268 No 7188 p311-320
9 March 2002

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Weldricks supports Boots in charging for MDS dispensing

Customers of Doncaster-based Weldricks Pharmacy will have to pay £3 a week to have prescriptions dispensed in monitored dosage systems as the company moves in to line with Boots The Chemists on making charges for this service.

Richard Wells, superintendent pharmacist at Weldricks, said that primary care trusts and health authorities in areas served by the company's pharmacies had been informed of the move. Letters to customers were sent out on 1 March. New requests for MDS dispensing will attract a charge from 1 April. Existing customers have been given six months' notice of intention to charge. Weldricks and Boots are the major suppliers of MDS in the area.

"We had a pilot scheme funding MDS through social services in Doncaster, but this stalled when the primary care trust took over the project. What happens next will depend on the reaction of the trusts and social services," he said.

General practitioners in the area have been informed via the local medical committee, with the background of current remuneration being explained.

"Funding for MDS is something that needs to be included in the new contract for community pharmacy," Mr Wells said. "We need a contract that reflects what we actually do." He added that the company was collecting information on interventions made by its pharmacists in order to show to PCTs what went on in pharmacies.

Digby Emson, superintendent pharmacist, Boots, said: "Many PCTs already recognise the benefits to patients of medicines management schemes. We firmly believe that pharmacies should receive additional remuneration for additional services."