Medicinal products in the community

Abstract

The health authorities have the statutory responsibility of ensuring that medicines and other products are available in the community. Through contracts with pharmacists for the supply of services they ensure that there is an even distribution of outlets for the dispensing of prescriptions. In rural areas, general practitioners can be given authority to dispense drugs. Pharmacists require permission from the new health authority (set up in April 1996 replacing the FHSA) to be able to dispense drugs through the NHS in a given area. The authority is responsible for the administration and payment of these services and liaises with the Prescription Pricing Authority (PPA) for information about the sums due.