We welcome recognition of pharmacists supporting access to medicines

The RPS has been in discussions with the Department of Health and other pharmacy organisations about Brexit contingency planning, including recent proposals to support continued patient access to medicines in the case of serious shortages. 

The ‘serious shortage protocol’ will enable community pharmacists to dispense in accordance a protocol rather than contacting the GP. We support pharmacists using their professional judgment to decide on what medicine to dispense. Pharmacists will work with doctors to make sure any communication about changes to medicines is clear.

Read our full response to the consultation on proposals to enable a ‘serious shortage' protocol.

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society met with the Department of Health and Social Care in November to discuss potential implications of Brexit for patients, pharmacists and the wider NHS. More about that here.