Question reference: S6W-06124
- Asked by: Colin Beattie, MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 2 February 2022
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Current status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 21 February 2022
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will review and reconsider the Control of Entry arrangements for community pharmacy services, in light of reported calls that this may provide a fairer, equal and transparent process for applicants whereby local interests and needs are prioritised over competitor interests.
Answer
The Scottish Government is committed to developing and implementing within this parliamentary term a revised contracting framework for community pharmacy NHS pharmaceutical services, underpinned by a review of existing Control of Entry, funding arrangement and introduction of a Performers List for the Pharmacy profession, as outlined in Achieving excellence in pharmaceutical care: a strategy for Scotland strategy.
Any future amendments to the regulations will uphold the necessity for successful applications to be granted around set criteria. These include neighbourhood requirements, the adequacy of existing pharmaceutical services in an area (from registered pharmacy premises), and the necessity or desirability of to secure adequate pharmaceutical services in an area.