The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 273 No 7318 p407
25 September 2004

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News summary

£100m to be ring-fenced for IT and advanced services

There are indications that £100m will be ring-fenced by the Government for pharmacists to establish computer systems for baseline connectivity and electronic transmission of prescriptions, and to provide advanced services in England, under the terms of the new community pharmacy contract.

Sue Sharpe, chief executive of the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee, would not confirm the details and said that full information would be released shortly. However, sources have suggested that over half of that sum would be allocated in the first year for establishing computer systems with a smaller sum for advanced services because it will take time for pharmacies to become connected.

In subsequent years, the IT element would be reduced significantly and a much larger proportion of the ring-fenced pot would be allocated for the provision of advanced services.