Drug dispensing service at risk

Patients are opposed to government plans to restrict the right of rural GPs to supply drugs directly to patients. A survey of 6,000 patients by the Dispensing Doctors Association (DDA) found 95% of patients in rural areas who receive medicines directly from their doctor would find it "difficult or inconvenient" if their surgery stopped dispensing. The DDA was responding to proposals in the Government's Pharmacy White Paper to replace the current market entry system for pharmacists, which is based on the 'necessary or expedient' test, with one based on assessment by Primary Care Trusts (PC...