NHS England has asked all pharmacies and GP practices to display a poster raising awareness of prescription direction.

The poster, which will be sent to pharmacies later this month, informs patients that they have “the right to collect medicines from any pharmacy you choose”.

NHS England said the poster – designed by the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) – had been produced in response to concerns that a “small number” of pharmacists and practices are “seeking to inappropriately influence which pharmacy dispenses a patient’s medicines”.

It asked all pharmacies and practices to “prominently display the poster as close as practicable to the location where patients receive prescriptions”. Distance-selling and internet pharmacies should display the information “prominently on their websites” and consider including a copy with medicine deliveries, it said.

“We are writing to ask your help in ensuring that all patients are aware of [their right to choose a pharmacy] and can exercise it without influence,” NHS England head of primary care commissioning David Geddes said in a letter sent to pharmacists and practices last week (October 2).

“We all have a duty to ensure patients’ rights are met and NHS England takes any attempt to undermine this very seriously,” he added.
 

Large amounts of evidence 

PSNC said the poster is “one measure” to increase public awareness of prescription direction. It has been submitting “large amounts of evidence about patient choice being denied” to NHS England, it said.

PSNC director of regulation and support Steve Lutener said the negotiator will “push for regulatory changes once again” if the poster did not have an impact.

“We are working with local pharmaceutical committees so that they and local medical committees can attempt to resolve any incidents where patients are denied their choice. If local resolution is ineffective, NHS England will deal with escalated concerns,” he added.

NHS England had been concerned about funding and printing the poster, and PSNC “stepped in” to design and distribute it, the pharmacy negotiator said. Each pharmacy will receive a copy in their October edition of PSNC’s Community Pharmacy News magazine, it said.

PSNC first revealed plans for the poster in May.

Former National Pharmacy Association chief executive Mike Holden said this action was “long overdue”, while Kent contractor Amish Patel suggested there should be a penalty for businesses that continue to influence patients. “I feel that a few will continue to let the profession down,” he added.

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