The government has confirmed its plans for a new control of entry system, including the removal of the controversial exemption for 100-hour pharmacies.

In a written statement published today (July 23), pharmacy minister Earl Howe said the government was going ahead with its plans to introduce a regime in which PCTs' decisions on pharmacy contract applications would be based on local pharmaceutical needs assessments(PNAs).

And he said the exemptions allowing pharmacies to open if they were situated in out-of-town shopping centres or one-stop primary care centres would be removed alongside the 100-hour exemption.

The regulations, which will come into force from September 1, will also see the introduction of a new staged performance regime for underperforming pharmacies, with removal from the PCT's pharmaceutical list as an ultimate sanction. And it will enable people to apply for pharmacy contracts where they can demonstrate that the pharmacy will bring "unforeseen benefits" not anticipated in the PNA.

The new regulations would "help make sure NHS pharmaceutical services best reflect local needs", a Department of Health spokesperson said. "They also enable new pharmacies who can demonstrate innovative new ways of providing services or delivering better health outcomes to open up in local communities."

PSNC welcomed the announcement, saying the changes would "boost the confidence of pharmacy contractors to invest in their services". 

"Many pharmacies will be relieved to see these long-awaited regulations, but will be asking why it has taken so long, when the primary legislation had indicated the government's intention as long ago as 2009," said PSNC head of regulation Steve Lutener.

PSNC chief executive Sue Sharpe added: "Putting behind us PSNC's frustration that these changes were not implemented in a timely manner, we look forward to seeing PCTs use these provisions to plan pharmacy openings and the commissioning of new services where they will be bring real benefits in access to pharmacy services."

The news follows a promise by pharmacy minister Earl Howe to deliver a decision before Parliament recessed for the summer.