Citation and commencement

1. These Regulations may be cited as the National Health Service (Pharmaceutical Services) (Scotland) Regulations 2009 and come into force on 1st July 2009.

Interpretation and application

2.–(1) In these Regulations unless the context otherwise requires-

"the Act" means the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978;

"the 1968 Act" means the Medicines Act 1968(3);

"additional professional services" has the meaning assigned to it in regulation 4;

"advanced electronic signature" means an electronic signature, within the meaning of section 7(2) of the Electronic Communications Act 2000(4), which is-

"the Agency" means the Common Services Agency for the Scottish Health Service constituted under section 10 of the Act(5);

"appliance" means an appliance which is a listed appliance within the meaning of section 27(1) of the Act;

"appropriate non-proprietary name" means a non-proprietary name which is not mentioned in any directions given by the Scottish Ministers under section 17N(6) of the Act (other mandatory contract terms)(6) as to the drugs or other substances-

"Area Medical Committee" means the committee of that name for the area of a Board recognised under section 9 of the Act(8);

"Area Pharmaceutical Committee" means the committee of that name for the area of a Board recognised under section 9 of the Act;

"Board" means a Health Board within the meaning of section 2(1)(a) of the Act(9);

"chemical reagent" means a chemical reagent included in a list for the time being approved by the Scottish Ministers for the purposes of section 27 of the Act;

"clinical management plan" has the meaning ascribed in article 1(2) of the Prescription Only Medicines (Human Use) Order 1997(10);

"corresponding decision" has the same meaning as in section 32D of the Act(11);

"dentist" means a dental practitioner;

"directed services" means additional pharmaceutical services within the meaning of section 27A of the Act;

"doctor" means a fully registered medical practitioner within the meaning of Schedule 1 to the Interpretation Act 1978(12);

"drugs" includes medicines and chemical reagents;

"Drug Tariff" has the meaning assigned to it in regulation 12;

"electronic communication" has the same meaning as in section 15 of the Electronic Communications Act 2000(13);

"electronic prescription form" means a prescription form as defined in paragraph (b) of the definition of "prescription form";

"emergency requiring the flexible provision of pharmaceutical services" means an emergency declared by means of a direction to Boards under section 2(5) of the Act to the effect that, as a result of the threatened damage to human welfare caused or which may be caused by the illness designated in the direction, Boards must for a specified period exercise one or more of their functions under regulation 6 or regulation 11(5), subject to any conditions or limitations set out in the direction;

"ePharmacy service" means the electronic system provided by the Agency by which electronic messages are transmitted between pharmacy contractors, doctors and the Agency;

"equivalent body" means-

or any successor body;

"equivalent list" means a list kept by an equivalent body;

"GMS Contracts Regulations" means the National Health Service (General Medical Services Contracts) (Scotland) Regulations 2004(14);

"health centre" means premises provided by the Scottish Ministers in accordance with the provisions of section 36(1)(b) of the Act;

"hypodermic needle exchange services" has the meaning assigned to it in regulation 3(3);

"joint discipline committee" has the same meaning as in the National Health Service (Discipline Committees) (Scotland) Regulations 2006(15);

"listed drugs" means such drugs and medicines as are included in a list for the time being approved by the Scottish Ministers for the purposes of section 27(1) of the Act;

"medicinal product" means-

"minor relocation" has the meaning assigned to it in regulation 5;

"National Appeal Panel" means the panel constituted under Part II of Schedule 4;

"non-electronic prescription form" means a prescription form as defined in paragraph (a) of the definition of "prescription form";

"non-proprietary name" in relation to a drug means-

"nurse independent prescriber" means a person-

"Nursing and Midwifery Register" means the register maintained by the Nursing and Midwifery Council under article 5 of the Nursing and Midwifery Order 2001(19);

"optometrist independent prescriber" means a person-

"Patient Group Direction" has the meaning ascribed in Article 1(2) of the Prescription Only Medicines (Human Use) Order 1997(22);

"pharmaceutical discipline committee" has the same meaning as in the National Health Service (Discipline Committees) (Scotland) Regulations 2006;

"pharmaceutical list" has the meaning assigned to it in regulation 5;

"pharmaceutical services" means those services as defined by section 27 of the Act and includes the provision to persons who are in a Board´s area of listed drugs and medicines which are ordered for those persons by a dental practitioner in pursuance by such dental practitioner of the performance of personal dental services within the meaning of section 1(8) of the National Health Service (Primary Care) Act 1997(23) but not including directed services;

"pharmacist" means a person who is registered in Part 1 or 3 of the Register of Pharmacists maintained under article 10(1) of the Pharmacists and Technicians Order 2007(24) or the register maintained in pursuance of Articles 6 and 9 of the Pharmacy (Northern Ireland) Order 1976 (25);

"pharmacy contractor" means a contractor who provides pharmaceutical services, or a person lawfully conducting a retail pharmacy business in accordance with section 69 of the 1968 Act(26), who provides pharmaceutical services in terms of arrangements made by a Board under section 27 of the Act;

"pharmacist independent prescriber" means a pharmacist against whose name in the relevant register is recorded an annotation signifying that he or she is qualified to order drugs, medicines and appliances as a pharmacist independent prescriber;

"prescriber" means a doctor, a pharmacist independent prescriber, a nurse independent prescriber, an optometrist independent prescriber or a supplementary prescriber under an agreed clinical management plan;

"prescription form" means-

"provisional pharmaceutical list" has the meaning assigned to it in regulation 8;

"registered pharmacy" means a registered pharmacy within the meaning of section 74 of the 1968 Act(27);

"relevant service" means whole-time service in the armed forces of the Crown in a national emergency or otherwise, or compulsory whole-time service in those forces, including service resulting from any reserve liability, or any equivalent service by a person liable for compulsory whole-time service in those forces;

"restricted availability appliance" means an appliance which is approved for particular categories of persons or for particular purposes only;

"scheduled drug" means-

"supplementary prescriber" means a person whose name is registered in-

and against whose name is recorded in the relevant register an annotation signifying that he or she is qualified to order drugs, medicines and appliances as a supplementary prescriber or, in the case of the Nursing and Midwifery Register, a nurse independent/supplementary prescriber;

"supply form" means a form issued by a Board to record a supply of pharmaceutical services under the terms of a Patient Group Direction issued by a Health Board in accordance with Article 12C of the Prescription Only Medicines (Human Use) Order 1997(30) (exemption for persons conducting a retail pharmacy business who supply or administer prescription only medicines under a Patient Group Direction);

"suspended by direction of the Tribunal" means suspended as respects the provision of pharmaceutical services by a direction of the Tribunal made pursuant to section 32A(2) or section 32B(1) of the Act(31) or to any provisions in force in England and Wales or Northern Ireland corresponding to those provisions;

"terms of service" means the terms of service for pharmacists and pharmacy contractors contained or referred to in Schedule 1;

"the Tribunal" means the Tribunal constituted under section 29 of the Act(32).

(2) These Regulations shall apply to a person, firm or body corporate (other than a dental practitioner) providing pharmaceutical services (which includes the supply of appliances by appliance suppliers) as they apply to a pharmacist.

(3) Unless the context otherwise requires-

(a) any reference in these Regulations-

(i) to a numbered regulation is a reference to the regulation bearing that number in these Regulations,

(ii) to a numbered Part or Schedule is a reference to the Part of, or Schedule to, these Regulations bearing that number,

(iii) to a form thereby prescribed includes a form substantially the same; and

(b) any reference in a regulation or in a Schedule to these Regulations to a numbered paragraph is a reference to the paragraph bearing that number in that regulation or Schedule.

Pharmaceutical services

3.–(1) The arrangements for the provision of pharmaceutical services shall include arrangements for-

(a) the supply of contraceptive substances and appliances;

(b) subject to paragraph (6) the provision of hypodermic needle exchange services.

(2) The arrangements referred to in paragraph (1) shall incorporate the terms of service for pharmacists and pharmacy contractors set out in Schedule 1 to these Regulations.

(3) In these Regulations "hypodermic needle exchange services" means-

(a) the supply, free of charge, by a pharmacy contractor to a person reasonably believed by that pharmacy contractor (if a pharmacist), or a pharmacist employed by that pharmacy contractor, to be a drug misuser, of-

(i) hypodermic needles and syringes;

(ii) equipment for the safe disposal of such needles and syringes; and

(iii) other equipment associated with self-injection.

(b) the receipt by a pharmacy contractor from such a person and the subsequent safe disposal, both free of charge, of any used hypodermic needle or syringe;

(c) the provision of counselling to such a person by a pharmacist.

(4) In paragraph (3) "drug misuser" means a person who is misusing drugs by self-injection.

(5) A pharmacy contractor may at any time give notice in writing to the Board that such pharmacy contractor wishes to be-

(a) included in or excluded from any arrangements for the supply of contraceptive services and appliances; or

(b) included in any arrangements for the provision of hypodermic needle exchange services.

(6) A Board shall agree to a pharmacy contractor providing hypodermic needle exchange services only-

(a) after consulting its most senior pharmaceutical and medical advisers and the Director of Public Health; and

(b) if it is satisfied that such services are necessary or desirable in the area of the premises specified in the application.

(7) A pharmacy contractor participating in arrangements for the provision of hypodermic needle exchange services shall maintain records in relation to those services which shall include-

(a) the number of hypodermic needles and syringes issued by such pharmacy contractor;

(b) an estimate of the number of used hypodermic needles and syringes received by such pharmacy contractor for disposal; and

(c) the number of persons to whom such pharmacy contractor has supplied hypodermic needles and syringes.

(8) A pharmacy contractor may at any time give notice in writing to the Board that such pharmacy contractor wishes to cease to be included in arrangements for the provision of hypodermic needle exchange services either immediately or at such time as may be specified in the notice.

(9) The Board may at any time, by giving notice in writing to a pharmacy contractor, terminate such pharmacy contractor´s involvement in arrangements for the provision of hypodermic needle exchange services either immediately or with effect from such date as may be specified in the notice.

Additional professional services

4.–(1) A pharmacy contractor may undertake to provide additional professional services.

(2) In these Regulations "additional professional services" means-

(a) the setting aside in a pharmacy of an area for the display of health education material;

(b) the provision to the public of advice and counselling on medicines and appliances;

(c) the undertaking of clinical audits where clinical audit means the systematic and critical analysis of the quality of clinical care; and

(d) the publication by a pharmacy contractor of a practice leaflet which shall-

(i) include the name, address and telephone number of the pharmacy and the hours in each day of the week during which that pharmacy contractor provides pharmaceutical services from those premises;

(ii) detail the arrangements for dealing with after-hours and other urgent requirements from or in relation to that pharmacy;

(iii) state that National Health Service prescriptions are dispensed and which other National Health Service pharmaceutical services are provided; and

(iv) state that a pharmacist is available to advise and answer questions about medicines and the treatment of common ailments.

Pharmaceutical list

5.–(1) The Board shall prepare a list to be called "the pharmaceutical list" of, subject to the provisions of regulation 26 (practitioners subject to inquiry) of the National Health Service (Tribunal) (Scotland) Regulations 2004(33), the names of persons, other than doctors and dentists, who undertake to provide pharmaceutical services and of the addresses of the premises within the Board´s area from which these persons undertake to provide such services. The said list shall also state the nature of the pharmaceutical services to be provided, and the days and hours during which the premises are open, and show pharmacists as a separate category of persons within that list.

(2) A person (hereinafter referred to in this regulation as an "applicant")-

(a) who wishes to be included in the pharmaceutical list for the provision of pharmaceutical services; or

(b) whose name is already included in the pharmaceutical list, but who intends-

(i) to open within the Board´s area additional premises from which to provide pharmaceutical services, or

(ii) to relocate within the Board´s area the premises from which the applicant provides pharmaceutical services

shall apply to the Board in accordance with whichever version of Form A set out in Schedule 2 is appropriate or, in the case of an application to which the applicant proposes that paragraph (4) should apply, Form A(MR) set out in that Schedule.

(3) Where an application is made and-

(a) the applicant intends to provide the same pharmaceutical services from premises from which, at the time of the application, another person whose name is included in the pharmaceutical list provides those services, in place of that person; and

(b) the condition specified in paragraph (5) is fulfilled,

the Board shall grant the application.

(4) Where an application is made and-

(a) the applicant intends to relocate to new premises, within the neighbourhood in which the applicant provides pharmaceutical services, from the premises already listed in relation to such applicant, and to provide from those new premises the same pharmaceutical services which such applicant is listed as providing from the applicant´s existing premises;

(b) the Board is satisfied that the relocation is a minor relocation; and

(c) the condition specified in paragraph (5) is fulfilled,

the Board shall grant the application.

(5) The condition referred to in paragraphs (3)(b) and (4)(c) is that in either case the provision of the particular pharmaceutical services by the applicant will not be interrupted, except for any period during which, in terms of any scheme made under regulation 11(1) that applies to the applicant, or any such longer period as the Board may for good cause allow, the provision of such services is not required.

(6) In this regulation the reference to a minor relocation is to one where there will be no significant change in the neighbourhood population in respect of which pharmaceutical services are provided by the applicant and other circumstances are such that there will be no appreciable effect on the pharmaceutical services provided by the applicant or any other person whose name is included in the pharmaceutical list of the Board.

(7) Before satisfying itself that a relocation is a minor relocation the Board shall seek and take into account the views of the Area Pharmaceutical Committee and of the most senior pharmaceutical adviser, or equivalent, of the Board.

(8) In the case of an application to which paragraph (4)(a) applies, where the Board is not satisfied that the relocation is a minor relocation, it shall not grant the application but shall notify the applicant in writing of its decision and of its reasons.

(9) Nothing in this regulation shall preclude or prevent an applicant from making an application in accordance with Form A or Form A(MR) in circumstances where the applicant considers that paragraph (4) may apply to such an application.

(10) An application made in any case other than one to which paragraph (3) or (4) applies shall be granted by the Board, after the procedures set out in Schedule 3 have been followed, only if it is satisfied that the provision of pharmaceutical services at the premises named in the application is necessary or desirable in order to secure adequate provision of pharmaceutical services in the neighbourhood in which the premises are located by persons whose names are included in the pharmaceutical list.

(11) Where an application is granted, it shall be notified in accordance with whichever version of Form C set out in Schedule 2 is appropriate.

(12) Where an application is granted in accordance with paragraph (10), it shall be competent for the Board to grant it only in respect of some of the pharmaceutical services specified in that application.

(13) An application, in any case other than one to which paragraph (4) applies, which is made by a person who qualified as a pharmacist in an EEA State other than the United Kingdom, or in Switzerland, shall not be granted unless the applicant satisfies the Board that the applicant has the knowledge of English, which, in the interests of himself and persons making use of the services to which the application relates, is necessary for the provision of pharmaceutical services in the Board´s area.

(14) Where an application is granted, the Board shall make the relevant entries in the pharmaceutical list only after the expiry of the period within which an appeal against the decision to grant the application might be intimated or the conclusion of all the appeal procedures, whichever is appropriate.

Temporary relocations and additional premises

6.–(1) Regulation 5(2)(b), (4), (6), (7), (8), (10), (11) and (14) shall not apply to an application for a temporary amendment to the pharmaceutical list which the Board is satisfied is necessary or desirable because of an emergency requiring the flexible provision of pharmaceutical services.

(2) In the circumstances described in paragraph (1), the Board may make a temporary amendment to an entry in the pharmaceutical list, but-

(a) only for a specified period (which shall not be for longer than the specified period for the duration of the emergency given by the Scottish Ministers) which the Board may extend or curtail in appropriate circumstances; and

(b) the applicant may revert to the applicant´s original entry in the pharmaceutical list before the end of the specified period, on giving the Board at least 24 hours notice.

(3) Where-

(a) a direction is given under section 2(5) of the Act which contains a declaration of an emergency requiring the flexible provision of pharmaceutical services; and

(b) the Scottish Ministers issue a further direction under that section changing the specified period of the duration of the emergency,

for the purposes of these Regulations, the duration of the emergency is to be construed in accordance with the specified period as revised by the Scottish Ministers.

Effect to be given to corresponding decisions in England, Wales and Northern Ireland

7.–(1) A Health Board shall not include the name of any person in its pharmaceutical list, and shall remove the name of any person from its pharmaceutical list, if any decision has been made in England, Wales or Northern Ireland to deal with that person in any way which corresponds (whether or not exactly) with a way in which a person may be dealt with under section 29B(2)(34) , 30(2) or (5)(35) (except a decision to remove a disqualification or conditional disqualification) or 32B(1)(36) of the Act, for so long as that decision is in force.

(2) Where any corresponding decision is made in England, Wales or Northern Ireland by an equivalent body that-

(a) a person is to be included in an equivalent list subject to conditions;

(b) a person is to be removed from an equivalent list contingent on conditions;

(c) a person is to be disqualified from an equivalent list subject to conditions; or

(d) any conditions so imposed are varied,

a Health Board shall impose those conditions in relation to the provision by that person of pharmaceutical services in the area of the Health Board.

(3) The Health Board may make such modifications of the conditions referred to in paragraph (2) as it considers necessary for them to have the like effect in relation to Scotland as they do in relation to England, Wales or (as the case may be) Northern Ireland, but only if the Health Board has previously given the person concerned written notice of the proposed modifications and an opportunity to make representations about them.

Provisional pharmaceutical list

8.–(1) The Board may also in accordance with this regulation prepare a list, to be called "the provisional pharmaceutical list" in which there shall be included, subject to the provisions of regulation 26 (practitioners subject to inquiry) of the National Health Service (Tribunal) (Scotland) Regulations 2004, the name of any person, other than a doctor or dentist, who undertakes provisionally to provide pharmaceutical services. The provisional pharmaceutical list shall state the particulars required under regulation 5(1) in relation to any such person and also the date ("the provisional date") from which such person undertakes to provide pharmaceutical services at the premises specified in an application under regulation 5(2).

(2) Where in any application under paragraph (2) of regulation 5 to which paragraph (4) or (10) of that regulation applies-

(a) any one or more of the statements in paragraph (2)(b) of Form A or, as the case may be, Form A(MR), is negative; and

(b) the Board is satisfied on the basis of such information as may be submitted with the application that the applicant intends to commence business at the premises specified in the application in the event of the applicant´s name being included in the pharmaceutical list,

the Board, in the case of an application to which paragraph (10) of regulation 5 applies, shall notify and otherwise deal with the application in accordance with that paragraph and Schedule 3 or, in the case of an application to which paragraph (4) of that regulation applies, shall deal with it in accordance with that paragraph and in either case where the Board grants the application the Board may include the name of the applicant in the provisional pharmaceutical list for its area.

(3) Where an application is determined by the inclusion of the name of the applicant in the provisional pharmaceutical list, the Board shall give notification of the decision to the applicant in Form D set out in Schedule 2, and in this regulation any reference to "the date of inclusion" is to the date of inclusion in the provisional pharmaceutical list as stated in Form D.

(4) Subject to paragraph (5) the applicant shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after the date of inclusion and in any event not later than either-

(a) the date six months after the date of inclusion, or

(b) if earlier, the provisional date,

submit Form B set out in Schedule 2 with any information required but not given in paragraph 2(b) of Form A or, as the case may be, Form A(MR), and on receipt of such information the Board shall include the name of the applicant in the pharmaceutical list and remove it from the provisional pharmaceutical list.

(5) Where a person whose name has been included in the provisional pharmaceutical list applies in writing to the Board not later than twenty eight days before the date by which, in terms of paragraph (4) above, the applicant is required to submit Form B, that the applicant wishes the Board to extend the period for submission of that Form and the Board is satisfied that, due to circumstances outwith that person´s control and which could not reasonably have been anticipated at the date of the application, there is no reasonable prospect of such person being able to submit that Form by that date, the Board may extend the period for submission of Form B by a further period not exceeding nine months.

(6) Where an applicant, whose name is included in the provisional pharmaceutical list, has not submitted Form B in accordance with paragraphs (4) or (5), the applicant´s name shall be removed from the provisional pharmaceutical list.

Removal from and amendment to pharmaceutical list

9.–(1) Where the Board determines in accordance with paragraph (3) that a person whose name has been included for the preceding six months in the pharmaceutical list has not during that period provided pharmaceutical services the Board shall remove that person´s name from the said list.

(2) A period during which the person was suspended by direction of the Tribunal does not count towards the period of six months referred to in paragraph (1).

(3) Where a Board determines in accordance with paragraph (4) that the supply of equipment necessary to provide domiciliary oxygen therapy service is no longer required, either in total or in part, and this service or part thereof has not been provided for the preceding six months the Board may cancel or amend the contract to provide the domiciliary oxygen therapy service contracted for.

(4) Before making a determination under paragraphs (1) or (3), the Board shall-

(a) give the person not less than 28 days' notice in writing of its intention so to do;

(b) afford the person an opportunity of making written representations to the Board; and

(c) consult the Area Pharmaceutical Committee.

(5) Nothing in paragraphs (1) and (3) shall-

(a) prejudice the right of a person to apply to be included again in the pharmaceutical list; or

(b) prevent a person from applying to increase the supply of equipment for domiciliary oxygen therapy service already provided; or

(c) affect a person who is performing a period of relevant service and in such a case no removal under paragraphs (1) or (3) shall be effected in respect of any such person until six months after such person has completed that service.

Transitional Arrangements

10.–(1) Where, before the date these Regulations come into force any application is made, any action is commenced or any decision is pending by a Board, the Agency or the National Appeal Panel under the National Health Service (Pharmaceutical Services) (Scotland) Regulations 1995(37), the provisions of those Regulations shall, notwithstanding regulation 17 (revocations) continue to apply on or after that date in respect of any such action or decision.

Schemes for securing proper pharmaceutical service

11.–(1) The Board, after consultation with the Area Pharmaceutical Committee, shall prepare a scheme for securing that one or more places of business on the pharmaceutical list in the area of the Board shall at all reasonable times be open. The scheme shall specify the days and hours during which such places shall be open, and the arrangements for the dispensing of medicines required urgently at other times.

(2) The provisions of schemes prepared under paragraph (1) shall be subject to the approval of the Scottish Ministers.

(3) In the event of the Board and the Area Pharmaceutical Committee failing to agree on any provision of a scheme to be prepared under paragraph (1), the matter shall be referred to the Scottish Ministers, whose determination shall be final.

(4) Where the Board after consultation with the Area Pharmaceutical Committee, amends the provisions of a scheme approved under paragraph (2), the Area Pharmaceutical Committee or any person whose name is included in the pharmaceutical list may appeal in respect of any such amendment, and any such appeal-

(a) shall be made in writing and received by the Board within 21 days from the date on which notification of that amendment was published; and

(b) may be determined by the Scottish Ministers; or

(c) if the Scottish Ministers so decide, be determined in accordance with the procedures set out in paragraph 5(3) to (5) of Schedule 3 and paragraphs 9 to 15 of Schedule 4.

(5) During an emergency requiring the flexible provision of pharmaceutical services, a Board may agree with any person whose name is included in a pharmaceutical list that the provisions of a scheme prepared under paragraph (3) shall not apply to that person for the duration of the emergency.

Payments to pharmacy contractors and standards of drugs and appliances

12.–(1) The Scottish Ministers shall after consultation with an organisation which is, in their opinion, representative of the general body of pharmacy contractors cause to be prepared a statement (in these Regulations referred to as "the Drug Tariff") which they may after such consultation amend from time to time and which (subject to paragraph (2)) shall include-

(a) the prices on the basis of which the payment for specified drugs (being drugs commonly prescribed) and appliances is to be calculated;

(b) the method of calculating the payment for drugs not specified in the Drug Tariff;

(c) the dispensing fees or other sums payable in respect of the supply of drugs and appliances and of additional professional services;

(d) arrangements for claiming fees, allowances and remuneration in connection with the making and implementation of arrangements for the provision of pharmaceutical services;

(e) the standards of quality for drugs;

(f) the list of appliances approved by the Scottish Ministers for the purposes of section 27 of the Act, the specifications for such appliances and, in the case of a restricted availability appliance, the categories of persons for whom or the purposes for which the appliance is approved;

(g) the method by which a claim may be made for compensation for financial loss in respect of oxygen equipment;

(h) the list of chemical reagents approved by the Scottish Ministers for the purpose of section 27 of the Act and the specification for such chemical reagents; and

(i) the fees, allowances and remuneration payable for the provision of such directed services as may be specified.

(2) The Drug Tariff may state in respect of any specified fee falling within paragraph (1)(c) or (i), or any other specified fee, allowance or other remuneration in respect of the provision of pharmaceutical services by pharmacy contractors included in the pharmaceutical list of a Board, that the determining authority for that fee, allowance or other remuneration for those pharmacy contractors is the Board, and in such a case paragraphs (3), (4) and (5) shall apply(38).

(3) The Board shall consult such body as it considers representative of pharmacy contractors in its area before making any determination by virtue of paragraph (2).

(4) A determination made by the Board by virtue of paragraph (2) shall include the arrangements for claiming the specified fees, allowances or other remuneration and may provide that the pharmacy contractor requires to have prior authority from the Board to provide a specified service and associated drugs.

(5) A determination made by the Board by virtue of paragraph (2) shall be notified in writing to all pharmacy contractors included in its pharmaceutical list.

Payments to pharmacy contractors in respect of suspended pharmacists

13.–(1) The Board shall make payments to a pharmacy contractor (if a pharmacist), or to a pharmacy contractor in respect of a pharmacist engaged by that pharmacy contractor, who is suspended by direction of the Tribunal in accordance with the determination of the Scottish Ministers in relation to such payments.

(2) The Scottish Ministers shall make the determination in accordance with paragraph (1) after consultation with the organisation referred to in regulation 12(1), and it shall be published with the Drug Tariff.

(3) The determination may be amended from time to time by the Scottish Ministers, after consultation with the organisation referred to in paragraph (2), and any amendments shall also be published with the Drug Tariff.

(4) Subject to paragraphs (5), the determination of the Scottish Ministers shall be such as to secure that, as far as reasonably practicable, and after making adjustments for any reduction in expenses, the suspended pharmacist receives payments at a rate corresponding to the suspended pharmacist´s remuneration under the Drug Tariff (but excluding any payments made by virtue of regulation 12(1)(g)) during the 12 months ending with the direction for suspension by the Tribunal.

(5) The determination of the Scottish Ministers may include provision that payments in accordance with the determination are not to exceed a specified amount in any specified period.

Application for pharmaceutical services

14. An application to a pharmacy contractor for pharmaceutical services may be made (other than by the pharmacist concerned) on behalf of any person who is incapable of requesting pharmaceutical services themself on account of sickness or infirmity by any duly authorised person.

Publication of particulars

15.–(1) The Board shall make available for inspection at its offices copies of-

(a) the pharmaceutical list;

(b) the terms of service for pharmacists and pharmacy contractors;

(c) the Drug Tariff;

(d) any schemes made under regulation 11 and shall keep them revised and up-to-date; and

(e) determinations made by the Board by virtue of regulation 13(2).

(2) The Board may make any of the documents described in paragraph (1) of this regulation available for inspection at such other places in its area as appear convenient for informing all persons interested, or may publish at such places a notice of the places and times at which copies of any of those documents may be inspected.

(3) The Board shall send a copy of the pharmaceutical list to the area medical, dental and pharmaceutical committees, and shall within fourteen days of any alteration in the pharmaceutical list inform each of them of such alteration.

(4) The Board shall send a copy of the pharmaceutical list to all pharmacy contractors on the list.

(5) Paragraph (3) shall not apply to alterations in a pharmaceutical list made by a Board in terms of regulation 6(2).

Service of documents

16. Except where expressly provided to the contrary, any document which is required or authorised to be given or sent to a person or body under these Regulations (including the terms of service) may be given or sent by delivering it to that person, or in the case of a body, to the secretary or general manager of that body or by sending it to that person, or in the case of a body, to the secretary or general manager of that body at that person´s usual or last known address.

Revocations

17. The Regulations specified in column (1) of Schedule 5 are revoked to the extent specified in column (3) of that Schedule.

Consequential amendments

18. The provisions listed in Schedule 6 are amended as specified in that Schedule.

Regulation 3(2)

SCHEDULE 1 TERMS OF SERVICE FOR PHARMACISTS AND PHARMACY CONTRACTORS

Interpretation

1. In these terms of service unless the context otherwise requires-

(a) except in relation to a pharmacy contractor who has notified the Board under regulation 3(5) that such pharmacy contractor wishes to be excluded from the arrangements for the supply of contraceptive substances and appliances referred to in regulation 3, "drugs" includes contraceptive substances and "appliances" includes contraceptive appliances;

(b) any reference to a numbered paragraph is a reference to the paragraph bearing that number in these terms of service and any reference to a numbered sub-paragraph is a reference to the sub-paragraph bearing that number in that paragraph.

Division of responsibilities between individuals and corporate bodies

2.–(1) To the extent that this Schedule imposes a requirement on a pharmacy contractor in respect of an activity which could only, or would normally, be undertaken by a natural person-

(a) if the pharmacy contractor is a pharmacist-

(i) that pharmacy contractor must comply with that requirement; and

(ii) if such pharmacy contractor employs or engages a pharmacist in connection with the provision of pharmaceutical services, that pharmacy contractor must secure compliance with that requirement by such pharmacists, and such pharmacists must also comply with that requirement; and

(b) if the pharmacy contractor is not a natural person, that pharmacy contractor must secure compliance with that requirement by the pharmacists whom it employs or engages, and those pharmacists must comply with that requirement,

and references in this Schedule must be construed accordingly.

(2) Where this Schedule imposes a requirement on the director or superintendent of a body corporate that is on the pharmaceutical list, breach of that requirement shall be deemed to be a breach by the body corporate of its terms of service.

Incorporation of provisions of regulations, etc.

3. Any provisions of the following affecting the rights and obligations of pharmacists and pharmacy contractors shall be deemed to form part of the terms of service:-

(a) these Regulations;

(b) the Drug Tariff;

(c) any scheme made under regulation 11;

(d) so much of the National Health Service (Discipline Committees) (Scotland) Regulations 2006 as relates to-

(i) the investigation of disciplinary matters relating to pharmacists and pharmacy contractors and other investigations to be made by the pharmaceutical discipline committee and the joint discipline committee and the action which may be taken by the Board as a result of such investigations, including the withholding of remuneration from pharmacists and pharmacy contractors where there has been a breach of the terms of service;

(ii) appeals to the Scottish Ministers from decisions of the Board; and

(e) the National Health Service (Tribunal) (Scotland) Regulations 2004.

Provision of pharmaceutical services

4.–(1) Subject to the other provisions of these Regulations where-

(a) any person presents a non-electronic prescription form which contains-

(i) an order for drugs, not being scheduled drugs, or for appliances, not being restricted availability appliances, signed by a prescriber; or

(ii) an order for a drug specified in any directions given by the Scottish Ministers under section 17N(6) of the Act as being a drug which can only be ordered for specified patients and specified purposes in the provision of primary medical services under a general medical services contract signed by and endorsed on its face with the reference "SLS" by a prescriber; or

(iii) an order for a restricted availability appliance, signed by and endorsed on its face with the reference "SLS" by a prescriber; or

(iv) an order for listed drugs signed by a dentist; or

(b) subject to sub-paragraphs (4) and (9), the pharmacist receives from the ePharmacy service an electronic prescription form which contains an order of a kind specified in sub sub-paragraph (a)(i) to (iv) and the patient named on the form, or a person on the patient´s behalf, requests the provision of drugs or appliances in accordance with that prescription and completes and signs a declaration of entitlement to exemption or a statement that a charge has been paid,

a pharmacist shall, with reasonable promptness, provide the drugs so ordered, and such of the appliances so ordered as the pharmacist supplies in the normal course of business and any drugs so specified shall be in a suitable container.

(2) In this paragraph-

(a) "chronic medication service" means a directed service provided by a pharmacy contractor with whom a Health Board has made arrangements in accordance with directions issued by the Scottish Ministers relating to the provision of a chronic medication service;

(b) "serial prescriber" means a doctor who in the course of the provision of primary medical services in terms of the Act orders drugs, medicines or listed appliances for-

(i) a registered patient within the meaning of regulation 2(1) of the GMS Contracts Regulations where the doctor is providing primary medical services in terms of a general medical services contract under section 17J of the Act;

(ii) a registered patient within the meaning of regulation 2 of the National Health Service (Primary Medical Services Section 17C Agreements) (Scotland) Regulations 2004(39) where the doctor is providing primary medical services in terms of an agreement under section 17C of the Act; or

(iii) a patient registered to receive primary medical services in terms of the Act, other than as in (i) and (ii), except where that patient is a temporary resident, being a person who is resident in Scotland for more than 24 hours and less than 3 months,

and such patient has registered with a pharmacy contractor for the provision of the chronic medication service;

(a) "serial prescription" means an order for drugs, medicines or listed appliances which comprises:

(i) a non-electronic prescription form generated by a computer and signed in ink by a serial prescriber containing the following information:

(aa) the drugs, medicines or listed appliances ordered for a patient;

(bb) the total quantity or period for which the drugs, medicines or listed appliances are ordered, which period shall not exceed 48 weeks from the date of issue of the prescription;

(cc) the quantity of the drugs, medicines or listed appliances which are to be dispensed to the patient at any one time; and

(dd) the instructions for use of the drugs, medicines or listed appliances; and

(ii) an electronic copy of that prescription form transmitted through the ePharmacy service to the pharmacy contractor with whom the patient has registered for the provision of the chronic medication service.

(b) "relevant pharmacist" means:

(i) the pharmacy contractor, where the pharmacy contractor is a pharmacist; or

(ii) any pharmacist employed or engaged by, that pharmacy contractor; and

(iii) where the pharmacy contractor is not a pharmacist, any pharmacist employed or engaged by that pharmacy contractor.

(3) Where a person has registered with a pharmacy contractor for the provision of the chronic medication service, that pharmacy contractor shall ensure that a relevant pharmacist, with reasonable promptness, shall provide the drugs, medicines or listed appliances ordered on a serial prescription in the quantities and at the intervals specified on the serial prescription in accordance with the provisions in sub-paragraph (2)(c)(i)(aa) to (dd).

(4) The patient or a person acting on behalf of the patient shall present the non-electronic copy of the serial prescription to the relevant pharmacist on the first occasion that the patient asks to be supplied with drugs, medicines or listed appliances ordered for the patient on a serial prescription.

(5) When the patient or a person acting on behalf of the patient asks to be supplied with drugs, medicines or listed appliances ordered for the patient on a serial prescription at any subsequent interval specified on the serial prescription, the relevant pharmacist shall supply the drugs, medicines or appliances in accordance with the serial prescription in accordance with the provisions in sub-paragraph (2)(c)(i)(aa) to (dd) only after drawing down the electronic copy of that serial prescription from the ePharmacy service to check that the serial prescriber has not cancelled that serial prescription.

(6) A relevant pharmacist shall not provide under a serial prescription a controlled drug within the meaning of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971(40), other than a drug which is for the time being specified in Schedule 5 to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001(41).

(7) A relevant pharmacist shall not supply any drugs, medicines or listed appliances ordered on a serial prescription if-

(a) the serial prescription was presented for dispensing for the first time more than 24 weeks after the date the serial prescription was signed by the serial prescriber;

(b) in the pharmacist´s professional judgement the supply is not appropriate for the patient;

(c) the non-electronic prescription form is not signed by the serial prescriber; or

(d) the pharmacist has been informed by the serial prescriber that the serial prescription has been cancelled.

(8) A relevant pharmacist shall ensure on each occasion that drugs, medicines or appliances are supplied on a serial prescription that such supply is appropriate for the patient.

(9) Where a relevant pharmacist reasonably believes that a form presented as a prescription form under sub-paragraph (1) or a form presented as serial prescription under sub-paragraph (4) is not a genuine order for the person named on the form the pharmacist shall refuse to supply the order for drugs or appliances on the form.

(10) A relevant pharmacist shall not provide under an electronic prescription form a controlled drug within the meaning of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, other than a drug which is for the time being specified in Schedules 4 and 5 to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001(42).

(11) A relevant pharmacist may refuse to supply drugs or appliances ordered on a prescription form or a serial prescription where-

(a) the pharmacist or other person is subjected to or threatened with violence by the person presenting the prescription form or serial prescription or requesting the provision of drugs or appliances in accordance with an electronic prescription form or serial prescription, or by any person accompanying that person; or

(b) the person presenting the prescription form or serial prescription, or requesting the provision of drugs or appliances in accordance with an electronic prescription form or serial prescription, or any other person accompanying that person, commits or threatens to commit a criminal offence.

(12) A relevant pharmacist shall not, except for the duration of an emergency requiring the flexible provision of pharmaceutical services, accept for dispensing any prescription form or serial prescription transmitted from or received at a registered pharmacy which is not included in the pharmaceutical list.

(13) A relevant pharmacist shall not, except for the duration of an emergency requiring the flexible provision of pharmaceutical services, supply any drugs or listed appliances ordered on a prescription form or serial prescription other than at a registered pharmacy which is included in the pharmaceutical list.

(14) (a) Subject to sub-paragraphs (b) and (c) a pharmacist shall, before supplying a prescribed item to any person presenting a non electronic prescription form or a supply form or a serial prescription with a declaration claiming either charge exemption under regulation 7 of the National Health Service (Charges and Drugs and Appliances) (Scotland) Regulations 2008(43) ("the 2008 Regulations") or charge remission under the National Health Service (Travelling Expenses and Remission of Charges) (Scotland) Regulations 2003(44), or a declaration of entitlement to such exemption or remission in relation to an electronic prescription form, request evidence of the patient´s entitlement to such exemption or remission.

(b) Sub-paragraph (a) shall not apply in respect of claims for exemption under regulation 7(1)(a) or (c) of the 2008 Regulations where-

(i) the prescription form is an electronic prescription form and the person´s date of birth is specified in the electronic prescription form; or

(ii) the prescription form is a non-electronic prescription form and the person´s date of birth has been printed by means of a computer on the non-electronic prescription form or serial prescription.

(c) Sub-paragraph (a) shall not apply in respect of claims for exemption under regulation 7(1)(a) to (i) of the 2008 Regulations where the pharmacist has information in the pharmacist´s possession at the time of supplying the item which confirms that the patient is entitled to the exemption claimed.

(d) Where the person presenting a non electronic prescription form or a supply form, or declaration of entitlement to exemption in relation to an electronic prescription form or serial prescription does not show valid evidence of entitlement and the pharmacist, in respect of a claim for exemption made under regulation 7(1)(a) to (i) of the 2008 Regulations does not have evidence in the pharmacist´s possession to confirm that the patient is entitled to make that claim, the pharmacist shall mark that patient´s non electronic prescription form or a supply form or that patient´s declaration of entitlement to exemption in relation to an electronic prescription form or serial prescription accordingly before supplying the prescribed item.

(15) (a) A pharmacist independent prescriber shall not supply any item ordered on a prescription form by that pharmacist independent prescriber unless the conditions specified in paragraph (b) are met.

(b) The conditions referred to in paragraph (a) are-

(i) the item has been ordered in accordance with the arrangements which a Health Board has made pursuant to Directions issued by the Scottish Ministers in respect of pharmacist independent prescribers; and

(ii) the pharmacist independent prescriber reasonably considers that either-

(aa) exceptional circumstances exist whereby it is in the best interests of the patient to whom the item is to be supplied that the pharmacist independent prescriber who orders the item should supply it; or

(bb) the patient to whom the item is to be supplied, or the patient´s representative, is otherwise unlikely to be able to obtain the item without suffering excessive inconvenience or delay.

(c) A pharmacist independent prescriber who supplies an item which such pharmacist independent prescriber has ordered must endorse the prescription form for that item with the words "self-dispensed".

(16) Where an order, not being an order to which the Poisons Rules 1982(45) or the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001, except Schedules 4 and 5 to those regulations, apply, issued by a prescriber or a dentist on a prescription form for drugs or listed drugs does not prescribe the quantity, strength or dosage thereof, a pharmacist may supply such strength and dosage of drugs or listed drugs so ordered as the pharmacist shall consider to be appropriate, and, subject to the provisions of sub-paragraph (23), in such quantity as the pharmacist considers to be appropriate for a course of treatment of the patient to whom the order relates, for a period not exceeding five days.

(17) Where an order to which sub-paragraph (16) applies is for-

(a) an oral contraceptive; or

(b) a drug or listed drug which is available for supply as part of pharmaceutical services only together with one or more drugs or listed drugs; or

(c) an antibiotic in a liquid form for oral administration in respect of which pharmaceutical considerations require supply in an unopened package,

which is not available for supply as part of pharmaceutical services except in such packages that the minimum available package contains a quantity appropriate to a course of treatment for a patient for a period of more than five days, the pharmacist may supply for the patient to whom the order relates, such minimum available package.

(18) Where any drug, not being one to which the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001, except Schedule 5 to those regulations, apply, ordered by a prescriber or a dentist on a prescription form, or a by a serial prescriber on a serial prescription, is available for provision by a pharmacist in a pack in a quantity which is different to the quantity which has been so ordered, and that drug is-

(a) sterile;

(b) effervescent or hygroscopic;

(c) a liquid preparation for addition to bath water;

(d) a coal tar preparation;

(e) a viscous preparation; or

(f) packed at the time of its manufacture in a calendar pack or special container,

the pharmacist shall, subject to sub-paragraph (19), provide the drug in the pack whose quantity is nearest to the quantity which has been so ordered.

(19) A pharmacist shall not provide, pursuant to sub-paragraph (18), a drug in a calendar pack where in the pharmacist´s professional judgement, it was the intention of the prescriber or dentist who ordered the drug that it should be provided only in the exact quantity ordered.

(20) In this paragraph-

(a) "calendar pack" means a blister or strip pack showing the days of the week or month against each of the several units in the pack; and

(b) "special container" means any container with an integral means of application or from which it is not practicable to dispense an exact quantity.

(21) All drugs and preparations supplied by pharmacists shall, where a standard or formula is specified in the British Pharmacopoeia, the British Pharmaceutical Codex, the British National Formulary (including any Appendix published as part of that Formulary), or the Drug Tariff, conform to the standard or formula so specified, and in any other case shall be of a grade or quality not lower than the grade or quality ordinarily used for medicinal purposes.

(22) All appliances supplied by pharmacists shall conform to the specifications included in the Drug Tariff.

(23) Subject to any regulations in force under the Weights and Measures Act 1985(46), a pharmacist shall provide pharmaceutical services only in response to and, subject to sub-paragraphs (16), (17), (18) and (29), in accordance with an order on a non-electronic prescription form signed as specified in sub-paragraph (1)(a), or in accordance with an electronic prescription form received in accordance with sub-paragraph (1)(b), or in accordance with a serial prescription in accordance with the provisions in sub-paragraph (2)(c) or in accordance with the terms of a Patient Group Direction issued by a Board in accordance with Article 12C of the Prescription Only Medicines (Human Use) Order 1997 (exemption for persons conducting a retail pharmacy business who supply or administer prescription only medicines under a Patient Group Direction), except that in a case of urgency where a prescriber personally known to a pharmacist requests that pharmacist to dispense a drug or appliance the pharmacist may supply that drug or appliance before receiving such a prescription form, only if-

(a) that drug is not a scheduled drug;

(b) that drug is not a controlled drug within the meaning of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, other than a drug which is for the time being specified in Schedule 4 or 5 to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001;

(c) that appliance is not a restricted availability appliance; and

(d) in any case the prescriber undertakes to furnish the pharmacist, within 72 hours, with such a prescription form.

(24) Except as provided in sub-paragraph (25), a pharmacist shall not supply, by way of pharmaceutical services under the Act or otherwise, any scheduled drug which is ordered by name, formula or other description on a prescription form or a serial prescription.

(25) Where a drug has an appropriate non-proprietary name and it is ordered on a prescription form or a serial prescription either by that name or by its formula, a pharmacist may supply a drug which has the same specification notwithstanding that it is a scheduled drug.

(26) Where a drug which is ordered as specified in sub-paragraph (23) combines more than one drug, that sub-paragraph shall apply only if the combination has an appropriate non-proprietary name, whether the individual drugs which it combines do so or not.

(27) A pharmacist or pharmacy contractor shall not give, promise or offer to any person any gift or reward (whether by way of a share of or dividend on the profits of the business or by way of discount or rebate or otherwise) as an inducement to or in consideration of a person presenting an order for drugs or appliances on a prescription form or serial prescription.

(28) A pharmacist or pharmacy contractor shall not, except with the consent of the Scottish Ministers, provide at a health centre services other than pharmaceutical services in accordance with section 27 of the Act.

(29) A pharmacist may dispense a drug where the conditions for urgent supply specified in paragraph (4) of article 8 of the Prescription Only Medicines (Human Use) Order 1997 are satisfied, before receiving a prescription form, if the pharmacist is satisfied that it is appropriate to do so.

Directed services

5. A pharmacy contractor with whom a Health Board makes an arrangement for the provision of any directed service shall comply with the terms and conditions of the arrangement and any terms contained in the relevant Directions.

Premises and hours of business

6.–(1) Subject to regulation 11(5), pharmaceutical services shall be provided from the premises specified in the application made by the pharmacy contractor for inclusion in the Board´s list, and the premises shall be open for the supply of pharmaceutical services during the hours specified in the scheme to be made by the Board for that purpose under the Regulations.

(2) At every premises from which pharmaceutical services are provided there shall be exhibited a notice to be provided by the Board in the form prescribed in Schedule 2. There shall also be exhibited at such premises, at times when those premises are not open, and in such a manner as to be visible at such times, a notice in a form approved by the Board, indicating the facilities available for securing the dispensing of medicines urgently required.

(3) Pharmaceutical services shall not, except with the consent of the Board, or on appeal, of the Scottish Ministers, be provided by a pharmacy contractor in premises occupied by a doctor other than at a health centre.

(4) Subject to regulation 6, no pharmacy contractor shall provide pharmaceutical services from any pharmacy or other premises which are not included in the pharmaceutical list in respect of that pharmacy contractor.

Dispensing of medicines

7.–(1) The dispensing of medicines shall be performed either by or under the direct supervision of a pharmacist.

(2) Where the pharmacist referred to in sub-paragraph (1) is employed, the pharmacist must not be one-

(a) who has been disqualified under sections 29B(2) or 30(2) or (5) of the Act (or under any corresponding provision in force in England and Wales or Northern Ireland) from inclusion in the pharmaceutical list of any Board or any equivalent body while the disqualification remains in force; or

(b) who is suspended by direction of the Tribunal or any corresponding decision in England, Wales or Northern Ireland while the suspension remains in force.

Names of pharmacists

8. A pharmacy contractor shall, if so required by the Board, furnish to the Board the name or names of pharmacists employed by that pharmacy contractor in providing pharmaceutical services and directed services.

Drugs, etc. to be supplied without charge

9.–(1) Subject to the provisions of any Regulations made under section 69 of the Act all drugs, containers and appliances supplied under these terms of service shall be supplied free of charge.

(2) Where a pharmacy contractor supplies an oxygen container or oxygen equipment, other than equipment specified in the Drug Tariff as not returnable to the pharmacy contractor, the container and equipment shall remain the property of the pharmacy contractor who shall have no claim against the Board in the event of the loss of, or damage to, such container or equipment except as may be provided in the Drug Tariff.

Method of payment

10.–(1) A pharmacy contractor is required to furnish to the Board or Agency or to such other person or body as it may direct, on dates to be appointed by the Scottish Ministers after consultation with an organisation which is in their opinion representative of the general body of pharmacy contractors, the prescription forms, serial prescription forms, supply forms and other forms (including electronic copies and electronic claim messages) upon which the orders for drugs and appliances supplied by or on behalf of such pharmacy contractor were given, arranged in such manner as the Board or Agency may direct, together with a statement of accounts containing such particulars relating to the provision by the pharmacy contractor of pharmaceutical services as the Board, with the approval of the Scottish Ministers, may from time to time require.

(2) A pharmacy contractor whose name is included in the pharmaceutical list shall supply, in response to a request from the Scottish Ministers and within one month of the notification of the request, any information which the Scottish Ministers may require for the purpose of conducting any inquiry into the prices, payments, fees, allowances and remuneration specified in these Regulations or the Drug Tariff.

(3) The Board or Agency shall, if any pharmacy contractor so requires, afford the pharmacy contractor reasonable facilities for examining all or any of the forms on which the drugs or appliances supplied by such pharmacy contractor were ordered, together with particulars of the amounts calculated to be payable in respect of such drugs and appliances and if the pharmacy contractor takes objection thereto, the Board or Agency shall take such objection into consideration.

(4) The Board or Agency shall, if so required by an organisation which is recognised by the Scottish Ministers as representative of the general body of pharmacy contractors, afford the said organisation similar facilities for examining such forms and particulars relating to all or any of the pharmacy contractors and shall take into consideration any objection made thereto by the said organisation.

(5) Payment will be made for drugs and appliances in the Drug Tariff at the prices specified therein and for drugs or appliances not in the Drug Tariff in the manner set forth therein subject in either case to any deduction required to be made by regulations made under section 69 of the Act.

(6) Where the Board or Agency is satisfied that adequate reasons have been given, payment may be made to a pharmacy contractor in respect of forms submitted by such pharmacy contractor outwith any set time-limits.

(7) If the Scottish Ministers, after consultation with such organisation as is mentioned in sub-paragraph (4), is satisfied at any time that the method of payment herein before provided for in this paragraph is such that undue delay in payment may be caused thereby, they may direct that the amounts to be payable to a pharmacy contractor shall be calculated by such other method, whether by averaging the amounts payable to a pharmacy contractor or otherwise, as appears to them designed to secure that-

(a) payment may be made within a reasonable time; and

(b) payments to a pharmacy contractor shall, as nearly as may be, remain the same as if the payments had been calculated in accordance with the first mentioned method of payment,

and payments calculated by any such other method shall be deemed for all purposes to be payments made in accordance with these Regulations.

(8) No pharmacy contractor shall be paid in respect of the supply of drugs or listed appliances indicated on a prescription form or serial prescription, or in respect of the supply of drugs or listed appliances in terms of a Patient Group Direction issued by a Health Board in accordance with Article 12C of the Prescription Only Medicines (Human Use) Order 1997, (exemption for persons conducting a retail pharmacy business who supply or administer prescription only medicines under a Patient Group Direction) unless that supply takes place at a registered pharmacy included in the pharmaceutical list in respect of that pharmacy contractor.

(9) Where a payment had been made to a pharmacy contractor to which such pharmacy contractor was not due, the Agency or Board shall draw that over-payment to the attention of such pharmacy contractor and unless the Scottish Ministers direct otherwise the amount overpaid shall be repaid by the pharmacy contractor to the Board or Agency.

Withdrawal from pharmaceutical list

11.–(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2) a pharmacy contractor may at any time give notice in writing to the Board that such pharmacy contractor desires to withdraw such pharmacy contractor´s name from the pharmaceutical list and such pharmacy contractor´s name shall be removed therefrom at the expiration of three months from the date of such notice or of such shorter period as the Board may agree.

(2) Where representations are made to the Tribunal under the provisions of section 29 of the Act (the NHS Tribunal), or a request for a review has been made to the Tribunal or a review is to be made by the Tribunal under section 30 of the Act (review etc. of disqualification), such pharmacy contractor shall not, except with the consent of the Scottish Ministers and subject to such conditions as the Scottish Ministers may impose, be entitled to withdraw such pharmacy contractor´s name from the list pending the termination of the proceedings on such representations, request for review or review.

(3) The name of any pharmacy contractor whose business is carried on by representatives in accordance with the provisions of the 1968 Act, shall not be removed from the list so long as the business is carried on by them in accordance with the provisions of that Act, and the representatives agree to be bound by the terms of service of the pharmacy contractor.

Complaints

12.–(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), a pharmacy contractor shall establish, and operate in accordance with this paragraph, a procedure (in this paragraph and in paragraph 13 referred to as a "complaints procedure") to deal with any complaints made by or on behalf of any person to whom the pharmacy contractor or a pharmacist acting on its behalf has provided pharmaceutical services.

(2) The complaints procedure to be established by a pharmacy contractor who provides pharmaceutical services from more than one set of premises may be such that it relates to all those premises together.

(3) A complaints procedure shall apply to complaints made in relation to any matter reasonably connected with the pharmacy contractor´s provision of pharmaceutical services and within the responsibility or control of-

(a) the pharmacy contractor;

(b) where the pharmacy contractor is a body corporate, any of its directors or former directors;

(c) a former partner of the pharmacy contractor if that pharmacy contractor is a pharmacist;

(d) any pharmacist employed by the pharmacy contractor;

(e) any employee of the pharmacy contractor, other than one falling within sub-paragraph (d),

and in this paragraph and paragraph 13, references to complaints are to complaints falling within this sub-paragraph.

(4) A complaint may be made on behalf of any person with that person´s consent, or-

(a) where that person is under 16 years of age-

(i) by either parent, or in the absence of both parents, the guardian or other adult person who has care of the child; or

(ii) in the care of an authority under Part II of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968(47) or in the care of a voluntary organisation, by that authority or voluntary organisation; or

(b) where that person is incapable of making a complaint, by a relative or other adult person who has an interest in that person´s welfare.

(5) A complaint may be made by a relative or other adult person who had an interest in the person´s welfare as respects a person who has died , or where that person was as described in sub-paragraph (4)(a)(ii), by the authority or voluntary organisation.

(6) A complaints procedure shall comply with the following requirements:-

(a) the pharmacy contractor shall specify a person (who need not be connected with the pharmacy contractor and who, in the case of an individual may be specified by such individual´s job title) to be responsible for receiving and investigating all complaints;

(b) all complaints shall be-

(i) recorded in writing;

(ii) acknowledged, either orally or in writing, within the period of three days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, Christmas Day, New Year´s Day and any other public or local holiday agreed with the Board) beginning with the day on which the complaint was received by the person specified in sub-paragraph (6)(a) or, where that is not possible as soon as reasonably practicable; and

(iii) properly investigated;

(c) within the period of 10 days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, Christmas Day, New Year´s Day and any other public or local holiday agreed with the Board) beginning with the day on which the complaint was received by the person specified in sub-paragraph (6)(a) or, where that is not possible as soon as reasonably practicable, the complainant must be given a written summary of the investigation and its conclusions;

(d) where the investigation of the complaint requires consideration of any records relating to the person as respects whom the complaint is made, the person specified in sub-paragraph 6(a) shall inform the person who has made the complaint or the person acting on such person´s behalf if the investigation will involve disclosure of information contained in those records to a person other than the pharmacist or a director, partner or employee of the pharmacy contractor; and seek that person´s consent to such disclosure; and

(e) the pharmacy contractor shall keep a record of all complaints and copies of all correspondence relating to complaints, but such records must be kept separate from any records relating to the person as respects whom the complaint was made.

(7) At each of the premises at which a pharmacy contractor provides pharmaceutical services the pharmacy contractor shall provide information about such pharmacy contractor´s complaints procedure, and give the name (or title) and address of the person specified in sub-paragraph 6(a); and where the pharmacy contractor provides hypodermic needle exchange services the pharmacy contractor shall provide the same information to the persons referred to in regulation 3(3)(a).

13.–(1) A pharmacy contractor shall cooperate with any investigation of a complaint by the Board in accordance with the procedures which it operates in accordance with directions given under section 2(5) of the Act whether the investigation follows one under the pharmacy contractor´s complaints procedure or not.

(2) The cooperation required by sub-paragraph (1) includes-

(a) answering questions reasonably put to the pharmacy contractor by the Board;

(b) providing any information relating to the complaint reasonably required by the Board; and

(c) attending any meeting to consider the complaint (if held at a reasonably accessible place and at a reasonable hour, and due notice has been given), if the pharmacy contractor´s presence at the meeting is reasonably required by the Board.

Records

14.–(1) A pharmacy contractor shall keep proper, complete, accurate and up-to-date records in respect of the pharmaceutical services they provide.

(2) A pharmacy contractor shall retain all such records for a minimum period of seven years.

(3) A pharmacy contractor shall, when requested to do so by any authorised officer of the Scottish Ministers, the Agency or the Board during the period in which the contractor is required to retain such records produce them or make them available to such authorised officer of the Scottish Ministers, the Agency or the Board.

(4) A pharmacy contractor shall not be obliged to make records available to a person referred to in sub-paragraph (3) unless they produce, on request, written evidence that they are authorised by the Scottish Ministers, the Agency or the Board, to act on their behalf.

(5) A pharmacy contractor shall designate a person engaged by that pharmacy contractor to take responsibility for practices and procedures relating to the confidentiality of patient data held by them.

Professional standards

15. Without prejudice to any rule or implication of law to that effect, a pharmacist who provides pharmaceutical services in accordance with arrangements made in these Regulations shall do so in conformity with standards generally accepted in the pharmaceutical profession.

Regulations 5(2) and (11) and 8(3) and Schedule 1, paragraph 6

SCHEDULE 2

Regulation 5(10)

SCHEDULE 3 THE BOARD

Receipt and notification of applications

1.–(1) The Board shall, within five working days of receiving an application to which regulation 5(10) applies, give written notice of the application to-

(a) the Area Pharmaceutical Committee;

(b) the Area Medical Committee;

(c) any person whose name is included in the pharmaceutical list or the provisional pharmaceutical list and whose interests may, in the opinion of the Board, be significantly affected if the application were granted;

(d) any Board whose boundary is within two kilometres of the proposed premises,

and any person or body so notified may, within 30 days from the date on which the notification was sent to such person or body, make written representations about the application to the Board.

(2) Any Board which is notified under sub-paragraph (1)(d) above shall, within 5 working days, give written notice of the application to-

(a) its Area Pharmaceutical Committee;

(b) its Area Medical Committee;

(c) any person whose name is included in its pharmaceutical list or the provisional pharmaceutical list and whose interests may, in the opinion of the said Board be significantly affected if the application were granted,

and any person so notified may, within 30 days from the date on which the notification was sent to the said Board, make written representations to the Board to whom the application was made.

(3) Any notice given under sub-paragraph (1) or (2) above shall include a statement of the right to make representations in accordance with that sub-paragraph.

Public consultation

2. The Board shall, on receipt of an application to which regulation 5(10) applies, take reasonable steps to consult with persons to whom pharmaceutical services may be provided as a result of that application.

Determination of applications

3.–(1) In considering an application to which regulation 5(10) applies, the Board shall have regard to-

(a) the pharmaceutical services already provided in the neighbourhood of the premises named in the application by persons whose names are included in a pharmaceutical list;

(b) pharmaceutical services to be provided in the neighbourhood at these premises by any person whose name is included in the provisional pharmaceutical list;

(c) any representations received by the Board under paragraph 1;

(d) any information available to the Board which, in its opinion, is relevant to the consideration of the application; and

(e) any responses received following consultation in accordance with paragraph 2.

(2) The Board may, in accordance with this Schedule, determine any application in such manner as it thinks fit and may, if it considers that oral representations are unnecessary, determine the application without hearing any oral representations.

(3) In any case in which the Board decides to hear oral representations, it shall give the applicant and any person from whom it received representations under paragraph 1 reasonable notice of the meeting at which such representations are to be heard.

(4) The applicant and any person mentioned in sub-paragraph (3) shall be permitted to be assisted in making representations at any such meeting by some other person, but that other person shall not appear in the capacity of counsel, solicitor or paid advocate, nor shall that person be entitled to speak on behalf of the applicant or any person mentioned in sub-paragraph (3).

(5) The procedure by which representations are heard shall be such as the Board may determine.

(6) The functions of the Board under this paragraph shall be exercised on behalf of the Board by the Pharmacy Practices Committee established within the terms of Part I of Schedule 4.

Notification of decisions

4. The Board shall, within 5 working days of having been notified in accordance with paragraph 6 of Part I of Schedule 4, intimate to the applicant and the persons mentioned in paragraph 1 the decision on the application, the reasons for it, and of any right of appeal applicable under paragraph 5.

Appeals

5.–(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2) the applicant or any person mentioned in paragraph 1 may appeal against the decision of the Board on the application, and must give notice of any such appeal to the Board within 21 days from the date on which notification of the Board´s decision was sent to the applicant or person mentioned in paragraph 1.

(2) Any person mentioned in paragraph 1 who was notified of an application under that paragraph but made no written representations to the Board about it shall not be entitled to appeal against a decision of the Board in relation to that application.

(3) Any notice of appeal under this paragraph shall contain a concise statement of the facts and contentions upon which the appellant intends to rely.

(4) The Board shall refer a notice of appeal under this paragraph to the chair of the National Appeal Panel appointed in accordance with Part II of Schedule 4.

(5) If the chair, after considering the notice of appeal, is of the opinion that the notice discloses no reasonable grounds of appeal, or that the appeal is otherwise frivolous or vexatious, the chair may determine the appeal by dismissing it forthwith, in which case the chair shall inform the Board accordingly. The chair´s decision in such cases shall be final.

(6) In any other case the National Appeal Panel shall be convened in accordance with Part II of Schedule 4 and the said Panel shall thereafter determine the appeal.

(7) The Administration of Justice and Tribunal Council or the Scottish Committee thereof shall be given 14 days notice of any Panel hearing, and a member of the Council or its Scottish Committee shall be entitled to be present at any such hearing.

(8) The appellant, applicant and any person mentioned in paragraph 1(1)(c) who made written representation to the Board about the application shall be permitted to be assisted in making representations at any Panel hearing by some other person, but that other person shall not appear in the capacity of counsel, solicitor or paid advocate, nor shall that person be entitled to speak on behalf of the person being assisted.

Schedule 3, paragraphs 3(6) and 5

SCHEDULE 4

PART I PHARMACY PRACTICES COMMITTEE

Pharmacy Practices Committee

1. The Board shall, in accordance with regulation 7 of the Health Boards (Membership and Procedure) (Scotland) Regulations 2001(48) and the provisions of this Schedule establish a committee (to be known as "the Pharmacy Practices Committee").

Functions

2. The Pharmacy Practices Committee shall on behalf of the Board exercise the functions of the Board in terms of regulation 5(10) and paragraph 3 of Schedule 3.

Membership

3.–(1) The Pharmacy Practices Committee shall consist of seven members of whom-

(a) one shall be the chair appointed as such by the Board; the chair shall be a member of the Board but shall not be an officer of the Board nor shall the chair be, nor previously have been, a doctor, dentist, ophthalmic optician or pharmacist or the employee of a person who is a doctor, dentist, ophthalmic optician or pharmacist;

(b) three shall be pharmacists of whom-

(i) one shall be a pharmacist whose name is not included in any pharmaceutical list and who is not the employee of a person whose name is so listed; and such pharmacist shall be appointed by the Board from persons nominated by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain; and

(ii) two shall be pharmacists each of whom is included in a pharmaceutical list or is an employee of a person whose name is so listed; and each shall be appointed by the Board from persons nominated by the Area Pharmaceutical Committee; and

(c) three shall be persons appointed by the Board otherwise than from the members of the Board but none shall be nor previously have been a doctor, dentist, ophthalmic optician or a pharmacist, or an employee of a person who is a doctor, dentist, ophthalmic optician or pharmacist.

(2) Persons to act as deputies for, and corresponding in number to, each of those categories of person appointed pursuant to sub-paragraph (1) shall, provided they satisfy the criteria specified in that sub-paragraph, be appointed by the Board and in the absence of any of those persons a deputy from the appropriate category shall be entitled to act in the absent person´s place.

(3) If a nomination sought for the purposes of sub-paragraph (1)(b)(i) or (ii) above is not made before such date as the Board may determine, the Board may appoint as a member a person who satisfies the criteria specified in the relevant sub-paragraph.

(4) The Board shall prepare and maintain lists of the persons who have been appointed, in accordance with paragraph 3(1)(a), (b)(i) or (b)(ii), or (c), as the case might be, and who currently serve as members of the Pharmacy Practices Committee, and shall provide the Scottish Ministers with a copy of such lists from time to time.

Declaration of interest

4.–(1) Before any meeting of the Pharmacy Practices Committee begins the chair, or in the chair´s absence, the person acting as chair, shall ask the members intending to be present whether, in respect of any matter to be considered at the meeting, any of them-

(a) has an interest to declare; or

(b) is associated with a person who has any personal interest,

and any such member who has or, as the case may be, is associated with a person who has, any such interest shall disclose it accordingly.

(2) Any member who has, pursuant to the provisions of sub-paragraph (1) above, disclosed an interest or who, in the opinion, expressed to the meeting, of the chair or in the chair´s absence, the person acting as chair as the case may be, should have disclosed such an interest, shall not be present at the consideration or discussion of that matter or the voting on it, and a deputy who has no such interest may act in that member´s place.

Quorum

5. No business shall be transacted at a meeting of the Pharmacy Practices Committee unless the chair or in the chair´s absence, the person acting as chair, one member appointed under each of paragraph 3(1)(b)(i) and (ii), and two other members appointed under paragraph 3(1)(c) are present.

Voting

6.–(1) Subject to sub-paragraphs (2), (3) and (4) below, every application considered by the Pharmacy Practices Committee shall be considered by all members present, but shall be determined only by a majority of votes of the members present who are entitled to vote.

(2) A member appointed by virtue of paragraph 3(1)(b)(i) or (c) is entitled to vote.

(3) A member appointed by virtue of paragraph 3(1)(b)(ii) is not entitled to vote and shall withdraw immediately before a decision on an application by voting takes place.

(4) The chair, or in the chair´s absence the person acting as chair, shall not be entitled to vote at any meeting except in the case of an equality of votes of the other persons present and voting, in which case the chair shall have a casting vote.

(5) The Pharmacy Practices Committee shall within ten working days of taking its decision give written notification of it to the Board with reasons for that decision.

Standing orders

7. Subject to the provisions of these Regulations, the Board may make, vary or revoke standing orders with respect to the terms of office of members of the Pharmacy Practices Committee, the procedure of that committee and the making of reports of its proceedings to the Board.

Vacancy

8. The proceedings of the Pharmacy Practices Committee shall not be invalidated by any vacancy in its membership, or any defect in a member´s appointment.

PART II NATIONAL APPEAL PANEL

Nominees for the National Appeal Panel

9.–(1) The Board shall submit the names of its nominees for the National Appeal Panel to the Scottish Ministers and shall advise them from time to time of any changes in such nominees.

(2) At the request of the Scottish Ministers, the Scottish Department of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain and an organisation which is recognised by the Scottish Ministers as being representatives of the general body of pharmacy contractors shall submit the names of their nominees for the National Appeal Panel.

Chair and Vice-Chair of National Appeal Panel

10.–(1) After consultation with all Health Boards, the Scottish Department of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain and an organisation which is recognised by the Scottish Ministers as being representatives of the general body of pharmacy contractors, the Scottish Ministers shall appoint persons as chair and vice-chair of the National Appeal Panel.

(2) A person so appointed shall not be a doctor, dentist, ophthalmic optician, pharmacist, or person, or employee of a person, whose name is on any pharmaceutical list.

Membership

11.–(1) In any case in which paragraph 5(6) of Schedule 3 falls to be applied, the Scottish Ministers shall arrange to convene in accordance with this paragraph the National Appeal Panel, the members of which shall be drawn from-

(a) the lists maintained in accordance with paragraph 3(4); and

(b) the nominees proposed in accordance with paragraph 9.

(2) No member of the National Appeal Panel shall be a member of-

(a) the Board or the Pharmacy Practices Committee of the Board which considered the application; or

(b) any Board which was notified in terms of paragraph 1(1)(d) of Schedule 3 and which submitted representations in accordance with that paragraph.

(3) The National Appeal Panel shall consist of nine members of whom-

(a) one shall be chair appointed as provided for in paragraph 10;

(b) one shall be vice chair and likewise be appointed as such in accordance with the terms of paragraph 10;

(c) four shall be pharmacists, one of whom has been nominated by the Scottish Department of Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain and the other three by an organisation which is recognised by the Scottish Ministers as being representative of the general body of pharmacy contractors; and of the said four members two shall be persons whose names are, or who are employees of persons whose names are, included in a pharmaceutical list; and

(d) three shall be persons nominated by a Board none of whom is, or has been previously, a doctor, dentist, ophthalmic optician or a pharmacist nor a person employed by a doctor, dentist, ophthalmic optician or pharmacist.

Declaration of interest

12.–(1) Before the start of any meeting of the National Appeal Panel the chair, or vice chair if acting as chair, shall ask the members intending to be present whether, in respect of the appeal to be considered at the meeting, any of them-

(a) has an interest to declare;

(b) is associated with a person who has any personal interest,

and any such member who has or, as the case may be, is associated with the person who has, any such interest shall disclose it accordingly.

(2) Any member who has, pursuant to the provisions of sub-paragraph (1) disclosed an interest or who, in the opinion, expressed to the meeting, of the chair or vice chair as the case may be, should have disclosed such an interest, shall not be present at the consideration or discussion of that appeal or the voting on it.

Quorum

13. No business of the National Appeal Panel shall be transacted unless the chair, or vice chair if acting as chair, and two members who are appointed under sub-paragraph (3)(c) of paragraph 11 and are in terms of paragraph 14 entitled to vote, and two members appointed under sub-paragraph (3)(d) of paragraph 11, are present.

Voting

14.–(1) Subject to sub-paragraphs (2), (3) and (4), every appeal considered by the National Appeal Panel shall be considered by all members present, but be determined only by a majority of votes of the members present who are entitled to vote.

(2) A member-

(a) appointed by virtue of paragraph 11(3)(c) and whose name is not included in any pharmaceutical list or who is not an employee of a person so listed;

(b) nominated by virtue of paragraph 11(3)(d); or

(c) who is the vice chair, provided the person is not acting as chair,

is entitled to vote.

(3) A member appointed by virtue of paragraph 11(3)(c) and whose name is included in any pharmaceutical list, or who is an employee of a person so listed, is not entitled to vote and shall withdraw immediately before a decision on an appeal by voting takes place.

(4) The chair, or vice chair if acting as chair, shall not be entitled to vote at any meeting except in the case of an equality of votes of the other persons present and voting, in which case the chair shall have a casting vote.

Decisions by the National Appeal Panel

15.–(1) The National Appeal Panel shall determine an appeal in such manner as it thinks fit and its decision in respect of that appeal shall be final.

(2) The National Appeal Panel shall within 5 working days of taking its decision, give written notification of that decision with reasons for it to the Board to whom the original application was made.

(3) The Board shall, within 5 working days, of receipt of such notification, intimate to the applicant and all persons mentioned in paragraph 1 of Schedule 3 that decision and the reasons for it.

Regulation 17

SCHEDULE 5 REVOCATIONS

Regulation 18

SCHEDULE 6 CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS

National Health Service (General Dental Services) (Scotland) Regulations 1996

1.–(1) The National Health Service (General Dental Services) (Scotland) Regulations 1996(49) are amended as follows.

(2) In regulation 2 (interpretation), in the definition of "Drug Tariff", for the "regulation 9 of the National Health Service (Pharmaceutical Services) (Scotland) Regulations 1995" substitute "regulation 11 of the National Health Service (Pharmaceutical Services (Scotland) Regulations 2009".

Nurses and Midwives (Part of and Entries in the Register) Order of Council in Session 2004

2.–(1) The Nurses and Midwives (Part of and Entries in the Register) Order of Council in Session 2004(50) is amended as follows.

(2) In article 1 (citation, commencement and interpretation), in the definition of "Drug Tariff" part (b) for the "National Health Service (Pharmaceutical Services) (Scotland) Regulations 1995" substitute "National Health Service (Pharmaceutical Services (Scotland) Regulations 2009".

The National Health Service (Primary Medical Services Section 17C Agreements) (Scotland) Regulations 2004

3.–(1) The National Health Service (Primary Medical Services Section 17C Agreements) (Scotland) Regulations 2004(51) are amended as follows.

(2) In regulation 2 (interpretation), in the definition of "Pharmaceutical Regulations" for "the National Health Service (Pharmaceutical Services) (Scotland) Regulations 1995" substitute "the National Health Service (Pharmaceutical Services (Scotland) Regulations 2009".

The National Health Service (General Medical Services Contracts) (Scotland) Regulations 2004

4.–(1) The National Health Service (General Medical Services Contracts) (Scotland) Regulations 2004(52) are amended as follows.

(2) In regulation 2 (interpretation) in the definition of "Pharmaceutical Regulations", for "the National Health Service (Pharmaceutical Services) (Scotland) Regulations 1995" substitute "the National Health Service (Pharmaceutical Services (Scotland) Regulations 2009".

The National Health Service (Discipline Committees) (Scotland) Regulations 2006

5.–(1) The National Health Service (Discipline Committees (Scotland) Regulations 2006(53) are amended as follows.

(2) In regulation 2 (interpretation) in the definition of "Pharmaceutical Service Regulations", for "the National Health Service (Pharmaceutical Services) (Scotland) Regulations 1995" substitute "the National Health Service (Pharmaceutical Services (Scotland) Regulations 2009".

The Administrative Justice and Tribunals Council (Listed Tribunals) (Scotland) Order 2007

6.–(1) The Administrative Justice and Tribunals Council (Listed Tribunals) (Scotland) Order 2007(54) is amended as follows.

(2) In the Schedule to the Order (Listed Tribunals) in the entry for the "National Appeal Panel" for "the National Health Service (Pharmaceutical Services) (Scotland) Regulations 1995", substitute "the National Health Service (Pharmaceutical Services) (Scotland) Regulations 2009".

The National Health Service (Charges for Drugs and Appliances) (Scotland) Regulations 2008

7.–(1) The National Health Service (Charges for Drugs and Appliances) (Scotland) Regulations 2008(55) are amended as follows.

(2) In regulation 2 (interpretation) in the entry for "terms of service" for "the National Health Service (Pharmaceutical Services) (Scotland) 1995" substitute "the National Health Service (Pharmaceutical Services) (Scotland) 2009".

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations consolidate, with amendments, the National Health Service (Pharmaceutical Services) (Scotland) Regulations 1995 ("the 1995 Regulations") and all subsequent amendments to them are revoked by regulation 17 and Schedule 5. These Regulations now regulate the terms on which pharmaceutical services are provided under the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978.

The "Drug Tariff" referred to in regulation 12 is published monthly as a web-based version at - http://www.isdscotland.org/isd/2245.html. An annual hard copy is published on 1st April each year. To be added to the mailing list for the hard copy distribution, email: evadis@isd.csa.scot.nhs.uk.

Amendments to the 1995 Regulations in this consolidation are largely minor or consequential drafting amendments. This includes a number of defined terms that have been added to, or updated, in regulation 2 (Interpretation and application).

The terms and conditions for pharmacists and pharmacy contractors (Schedule 1, paragraph 4) have been amended to include provisions relating to the provision of a Chronic Medication Service (CMS). CMS is the provision by a pharmacist of pharmaceutical care to patients with long term conditions who have registered with that pharmacist for the CMS.

The terms and conditions for pharmacists and pharmacy contractors also now include a requirement to keep appropriate records for at least seven years which must be made available for inspection on request by the Scottish Ministers, the relevant Health Board or the Common Services Agency. Pharmacy contractors must also designate a person engaged by them to hold responsibility for maintaining confidentiality of patient data (Schedule 1, paragraph 14).

A duty on Health Boards to consult with the public when determining applications to be included in the pharmaceutical list is now provided for in paragraph 2 of Schedule 3.