The removal of the 100-hour exemption has failed to stem the tide of GP interest in opening surgery pharmacies.

Despite industry experts forecasting that the new control of entry regulations that came into force on September 1 would halt applications for GP-owned pharmacies, Charles Russell partner Noel Wardle said July's abolition of the 100-hour control of entry exemption had not caused any change in the number of queries.

The new market entry tests will require applicants to convince PCTs that there is an "unmet need" in the area that could be resolved by opening a new pharmacy.

New market entry tests will require applicants to prove there is an "unmet need" in the area that could be resolved by opening a new pharmacy

More on 100 hours FAQ: Farewell, 100 hours Control of entry: what the changes mean for you Pharmacy numbers to rise despite end of 100 hours

MedicX chief executive Steve Jeffers said any queries about opening surgery pharmacies were likely to be a "hangover" from 100-hour applications made before the cut-off point and argued that PCTs would be unlikely to grant any more applications in the current economic climate. "The NHS has got to save money and it doesn't want to invest in new premises," Mr Jeffers told C+D. He added that the same principle would apply to new health centre openings, which have formed a large part of MedicX's pharmacy network.

"At the moment there's no desire to commit to long-term expenditure on big, shiny, new buildings unless the business case is absolutely obvious and it will save them money immediately, as well as in the long term," he argued.

The comments were echoed by North-East London LPC secretary Hemant Patel. "I can't see why any PCT would want to grant a contract that's going to cost them money," he said. "At this particular time, they're so concerned about money that they won't."

The Independent Pharmacy Federation (IPF) said it would keep an eye out for new surgery pharmacies opening. The organisation had previously reported that GPs were threatening to open 100-hour pharmacies unless they received "financial incentives" for contractors or they agreed to move their business into the surgery.

"There are still some 100-hour applications for surgery pharmacies that are going through from previous approvals," said IPF chief executive Claire Ward. "Whether or not they will try alternative ways of getting pharmacies into the surgeries I don't know, but I think it's something we need to monitor."

Find out what the end of the 100-hour exemption means for you.