Key Summary
- Government to consult on enabling pharmacists to have the flexibility to amend prescriptions in response to medicine shortages
- This will ensure that patients receive the medicines on time and ease the workload of health professionals
- At present, patients have to return to their GP to get their prescription amended
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has welcomed the Government’s move to consult on enabling pharmacists to have the flexibility to amend prescriptions in response to medicine shortages.
This would not only help ensure patients receive the medicines they need, but would also ease the workload of health professionals, RPS added.
As part of a new policy paper, Managing a robust and resilient supply of medicines, the Government has said it will consult on new measures to allow pharmacists to supply a different quantity, strength or formulation against a prescription to improve patient access to medicines.
At present, patients have to return to their GP to get their prescription amended. This delays access to medication and increases pressure on an already overburdened system.
The new move would recognise the clinical expertise of pharmacists and their vital role in maintaining continuity of care during disruptions to medicine supplies.
It would not involve making changes to the patient’s treatment.
RPS had in 2020 written to the health secretary outlining the need for legislative change, supported by medical organisations, patient groups, and other pharmacy bodies.
RPS president professor Claire Anderson described the move as a "win for patients, a win for the NHS, and a win for common sense".
“This is a landmark moment for pharmacy and patient care. We’ve long campaigned for pharmacists to be empowered to use their professional judgement in the face of medicine shortages, and we’re delighted to see the Government take this important step."
He hoped the Department of Health and Social Care would ensure the proposed measures are implemented effectively.
The announcement aligns with a key recommendation from the RPS’s 2024 report, “Medicine Shortages: solutions for empty shelves”.
