Control of entry test exemptions have failed
Exemptions to the control of entry test used by primary care trusts in England to decide whether to award NHS pharmacy contracts have not been universally successful.
So says the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies (AIMp) in
a written submission to Anne Galbraith’s review
of pharmacy contracting arrangements (PJ, 20 January, p63).
“The 100-hour exemption has frustrated PCTs in their efforts to
plan services and such pharmacies potentially undermine existing pharmacies
or planned
new ones in areas the PCT would like to see provision,” the association
says.
It claims that there have been several cases of conventional contracts
being awarded and then being overturned on appeal because a 100-hour
pharmacy had opened in the intervening period. Commenting on the current
pharmacy contract, the AIMp says that its essential and advanced elements
are working well, but that local commissioning of enhanced services has
been disappointing. This, it believes, is not a reflection on the contractual
framework or on community pharmacy, but is due to the financial position
of PCTs.
The AIMp proffers 12 proposed changes to the pharmacy contract system.
These
include:
• National criteria for granting contracts
• Compulsory pharmaceutical needs assessments by PCTs
• Public invitation of pharmacy applications in areas of need
• Abolition of the 100-hour exemption |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal
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