Updated information
For information about the essential and advanced delivery service, read our updated article.
The following is an announcement on behalf of DHSC:
COVID-19 – Essential and advanced delivery service
Pharmacy contractors should note that the Essential pharmaceutical service – ensuring home delivery during the COVID-19 outbreak and the Community Pharmacy Home Delivery Service during the COVID-19 outbreak are extended until 31 July 2020, when they will end.
COVID-19 – Declaration of emergency requiring the flexible provision of pharmaceutical services
The Declaration of emergency requiring the flexible provision of pharmaceutical services, made in Directions signed on 27 March 2020, will now be extended from 1 July to 1 September 2020. This will allow temporary changes to pharmacy opening hours or temporary closure of pharmacy premises in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, where there are adequate reasons, to continue. In the case of the temporary closure of a pharmacy premises, a dispensing doctor may be required to provide pharmaceutical services to other patients, in order to maintain the adequate provision of pharmaceutical services.
View payment for essential pharmaceutical services (PDF: 36KB)
View payment for community pharmacy home delivery service (PDF: 34KB)
View directions for pharmaceutical services (PDF: 26KB)
New Medicines Service
There will no longer be a requirement under the New Medicine Service (NMS) for the registered pharmacist to have a Medicine Use Review (MUR) certificate to be able to perform NMS. There remains a requirement to complete and keep a self-assessment.
Medicines Use Review
Payment will be made up to a maximum of 100 MURs per pharmacy for the period commencing on 1 April 2020 and ending on 31 March 2021. The date where 70% of any MURs undertaken must be within the constraints of the target groups of patients taking high-risk medicines and discharge MURS will be extended from 30 June 2020 to 31 December 2020. From 1 January 2021 to 31 March, 70% of MURs undertaken must be constrained to the target group of patients taking high-risk medicines.
View payment details for the Advanced Service (PDF: 30KB)
The changes to the determinations and the Directions are not reflected in the published July 2020 Drug Tariff.