Dispensing Doctors

We can advise on all aspects of the legislative framework which regulates dispensing doctors, as well as being able to advise on the relevant contractual documents. We can advise you on:

  • The Pharmaceutical Regulations and their interpretation

  • Objecting to pharmacy applications

    In order to successfully argue or resist pharmaceutical applications practices need to make submissions that fully engage the relevant tests. We are able to advise on deploying the best arguments available to the practice under the regulations in order to maximise your potential chances of retaining dispensing.

  • Controlled localities and rural character

    The Primary Care Trust’s (PCT) decisions delineating the rurality of an area can have substantial impacts on dispensing practices. 

  • Appeals

    If a practice disagrees with the decision of the PCT there are routes of appeal available against these:

o        Appeals to the National Health Service Litigation Authority (NHSLA); they make decisions which are ‘final’. It is vitally important that all appeals are considered and targeted in such a way so to maximise the chance of success for the practice
 
o        Judicial Review, if appropriate, is available to appeal against a decision from the NHSLA. Whilst this is a difficult and expensive step Andrew Lockhart-Mirams has undertaken a number of successful reviews.
 

  • Opening your own pharmacy (please click here to go to the Pharmacy page)

    GPs are able to be directors of and shareholders in a pharmacy company that runs a pharmacy and we can advise practices on forming the company vehicle, making the application and any subsequent appeals, and with matters such as employment issues that may arise.

  • Leases to pharmacists

    Pharmacists may take a lease of part of the surgery and operate their business from there. Our property team has extensive knowledge of commercial leases, and can assist practices preparing such agreements.

  • Partnership issues (please click here to go to the Partnerhsip page)
  • Dispute resolution (please click here to go to the Dispute Resolution page)

 Lockharts has commented on the White Paper on Pharmacy published on 29 August 2008.