The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 277 No 7409 p66
15 July 2006

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New oxygen suppliers may not meet 1 August deadline

Some pharmacists may still be required to dispense oxygen after 1 August, when the formal transition period to the new service arrangements ends, the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee said this week.

In a statement on its website, the PSNC said that the regional suppliers are working to assume responsibility for the supply of oxygen to patients in their service region by 1 August. However, “to ensure continuity of supply until all patients safely transfer to new suppliers there may be a need for some pharmacies to continue to support service provision, for example, by not withdrawing full cylinders supplied or by dispensing oxygen against prescriptions, post 1 August, until a patient is handed over to the new supplier”.

The PSNC also confirmed that contractors will continue to be reimbursed for the cost of gas and the rental of non-Drug Tariff size cylinders and for services to oxygen patients, including the collection and delivery of cylinders through local arrangements.