The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 277 No 7409 p66
15 July 2006

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NPA concerned about 100-hour exemption abuse

Concerns about exploitation of the 100-hour exemption rule under NHS pharmacy control of entry reforms have been raised by the National Pharmacy Association.

“This is now being used as a means of circumventing the necessary or desirable test,” it says.

The NPA is aware of a number of 100-hour exempted sites — particularly in or adjacent to existing GP surgeries — where the use of the 100-hour exemption is causing problems for local contractors. “The position is exacerbated by the unwillingness or inability of some PCTs to monitor the 100-hour requirement,” it adds. The NPA believes that a robust monitoring framework is essential to prevent abuse of the exemption.

The NPA welcomes the Government’s review of control of entry reforms and assessment of the progress in implementing the “balanced package of measures” introduced in April last year.

Umesh Patel, chairman of the NPA, said: “It is still relatively early to perform a full assessment of the impact of the balanced package of measures. However, the NPA still holds the view submitted as part of its original submission that control of entry is needed to ensure that there is a rational distribution of pharmacies and to ensure that patients enjoy ready and easy access to pharmacy services from their surgery, and where they live and work.” He added that this is currently the case, but the NPA is concerned that any weakening of the current controls — and any exploitation of the exemptions in a manner that undermines the basic principle of basing contracts on necessity and desirability — may serve to weaken the widespread access to services and thus disadvantage consumers.

The NPA will respond to the Government’s review and is encouraging its members to get involved. It will be contacting a random sample of pharmacists to ascertain the impact of the reforms on local pharmacy services. A questionnaire has been prepared to assist with this. NPA members who have not received the questionnaire and who would like to participate can contact the business team on 01727 858687, extension 3204 or e-mail pharmacybusiness@npa.co.uk.

Pharmacists who want to contribute to the Government’s consultation directly can do so until 12 September 2006.