Medicines regulation and law

Pharmacy drug-switching protocols a ministerial ‘power grab’, says shadow health secretary

Amendments to legislation allowing pharmacists to switch patients’ medicine without consulting their GP is “an extraordinary power grab” by health ministers, the shadow health secretary has said.…

Brexit delaying new legislation on dispensing errors, health minister says

The health minister Steve Brine has said that a focus on Brexit legislation means that parliament has been “unable to consider” new legislation on dispensing errors.…

A day in the life of a head of pharmacovigilance

Deji Alli details a typical day as head of pharmacovigilance and Responsible Person for the largest clinical homecare provider in the UK.…

APPG chair urges government not to let Brexit delay dispensing errors legislation

The chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Pharmacy has urged the government not to allow Brexit to delay new legislation on dispensing errors.…

GPhC will consider future of HQ as pharmacists oppose fee increases

The General Pharmaceutical Council may consider moving to cheaper offices as pharmacists express concerns over its proposed fees increase.…

Legal proceedings launched against government’s medicines ‘serious shortage protocols’

Legal campaigners have sought a judicial review of the government’s change to the law that would allow pharmacists to switch patients’ medicines in case of a medicines shortage.…

Everything you need to know about serious shortage protocols

Legislation came into force in February 2019 which allows pharmacists to substitute a different medicine to the one prescribed in the event of a serious shortage.…

Ministers threatened with judicial review over ‘unlawful’ consultation on prescription switching protocols

A non-profit group has threatened the government with legal action unless it revokes new powers designed to allow pharmacists to switch patients’ medicines if there is a shortage.…

Government sets up dedicated no-deal Brexit shipping route for medical products with ‘short lead times’

The Department of Health and Social Care has established a “dedicated shipment channel” for suppliers of medical products that need to be urgently imported to the UK from the EU after Brexit.…

Pharmacies with drug treatment services can now supply nasal naloxone in emergencies

Any pharmacy that provides drug treatment services can now supply nasal naloxone to individuals without the need for a prescription following an amendment to the Human Medicines Regulations 2015. …