C+D’s fourth ‘Big Debate’ on the peer-to-peer Community platform asks whether independent pharmacies can ever truly benefit from a hub-and-spoke dispensing model.

Under the Medicines and Medical Devices Act 2021, the Department of Health and Social Care (DH) has powers to roll out a hub-and-spoke dispensing model across community pharmacy. However, any plans for the model must be subject to a “full public consultation” before they come to fruition and various pharmacy stakeholders are currently being consulted.

The Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies (AIMp), the Company Chemists’ Association (CCA), the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC), the Pharmacists’ Defence Association (PDA) and the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) outlined their positions on the dispensing model.

Tonight’s discussion brings together five sector experts – Darryl Dethick, head of pharmacy at PCT Healthcare; Mike Hewitson, owner of Beaminster Pharmacy in Dorset and non-executive director of HubRx; Gareth Jones, head of corporate affairs at the NPA; Paul Mayberry, owner of Mayberry Pharmacy; and Noel Wardle, partner and head of healthcare regulation at Charles Russell Speechlys LLP – to discuss:

• The legal framework around hub-and-spoke dispensing
• Making the finances work
• Ensuring patient safety first and foremost

Remind yourself how the sector’s attitude towards the dispensing model has changed over the years and join the debate tonight from 7pm.

Register for free on the C+D Community to take part, or sign up via LinkedIn.