Independent pharmacies may be able to dispense through a centralised dispensing model in the future, following a consultation announced by the pharmacy minister Alistair Burt. The changes could be in place as soon as next October, according to plans set in motion by Mr Burt, minister of state for community and social care, and MP for north-east Bedfordshire.

“The Chief Pharmaceutical Officer Keith Ridge has spoken about the need for all community pharmacies to have access to large scale centralised dispensing for the benefits and associated efficiencies to be fully delivered. I’m pleased to announce that the government plans to take this forward and will consult on the changes to medicines legislation that are needed, so that all community pharmacies can benefit from central dispensing arrangements if they choose,” he said.

Alistair Burt: “We aim to have all the changes in place by October 2016”

Claire Ward of Pharmacy Voice described the plans to change legislation to allow centralised dispensing for independent pharmacy as a “train that’s leaving the station”, suggesting that things are moving quickly on the issue.

Community pharmacy needs to now very urgently get involved with the plans following the announcement, she said. “We need to start shape the direction of that travel and make sure it’s on the right track. I fear others will see potential opportunity for Amazon-isation. This would be disastrous for patients and for the community pharmacy network. We need to protect that network.”

Independent pharmacies may have “fears” for what the plans might mean, suggested Ms Ward. Ensuring that the pharmacist remains core to the process of giving advice to patients about their medicines is vital, she said. “We need to make sure that supply and dispensing are not separated, to support adherence, and to make sure all the advice comes from the pharmacist.”

Claire Ward: “We need to make sure supply and dispensing are not separated”