The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 274 No 7351 p639
28 May 2005

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PSNC clarifies bank holiday opening rules for pharmacies

Pharmacies in England are not required to open on bank holidays, Christmas Day and Good Friday to meet the “40-hours per week” commitment set out in the new community pharmacy contract.

In a statement issued this week, the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee explains that if a pharmacy is usually open on that day of the week then the hours that would have been covered are counted towards the 40, even though the pharmacy is not open.

“[Contractors] may agree to open for payment or the PCT could direct the pharmacy to open (for reasonable payment),” the PSNC states.

Contractors should inform their primary care trust as to whether their premises will be open on bank holidays to help PCTs plan out-of-hours pharmacy provision.