Policy and politics

A year of change for pharmacy

The profession is likely to undergo significant changes over the forthcoming year.…

Liberal Democrats support write access to medical records for pharmacists

The Liberal Democrats have said their policy is to give pharmacists write access to patient’s medical records in advance of the general election, on 12 December 2019.…

SNP manifesto calls for devolution of the Misuse of Drugs Act

The Scottish National Party’s 2019 general election manifesto calls for the devolution of the Misuse of Drugs Act, to allow Scotland to undertake “the full range of effective public health measures” to address drug addiction and prevent drug-related deaths.…

Conservatives pledge to develop new Innovative Medicines Fund

The Conservative Party would extend the Cancer Drugs Fund into an Innovative Medicines Fund, according to its 2019 general election manifesto.…

Plaid Cymru pledges to increase mental health spending and calls for drug law reform

Plaid Cymru would increase spending on mental health care by 5% every year over the next decade, according to the party’s 2019 general election manifesto.…

Liberal Democrats pledge free prescriptions for mental health conditions

The Liberal Democrats would remove prescription charges for patients with chronic mental health conditions, according to the party’s 2019 general election manifesto.…

Labour Party manifesto promises to make prescriptions free in England

The Labour Party would abolish prescription charges in England, according to its 2019 general election manifesto.…

Green Party would repeal Misuse of Drugs Act, manifesto says

The Green Party would repeal the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and pardon those already convicted of small-scale drug possession and supply, according to its 2019 general election manifesto.…

Labour Party clarifies plans to nationalise hospital pharmacies

A Labour Party government would bring hospital pharmacies run by private companies back into NHS ownership, a party spokesperson has said.…

‘Specialist pharmacies’ to dispense recreational drugs under Green Party government policy

Specially qualified pharmacists would be able to dispense recreational drugs over the counter under a Green Party government, according to the party’s latest drug policy.…