Citation, commencement and interpretation

1.–(1) These Regulations may be cited as the National Health Service (Charges for Drugs and Appliances) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2010 and come into force on 1st April 2010.

(2) In these Regulations "the principal Regulations" means the National Health Service (Charges for Drugs and Appliances) (Scotland) Regulations 2008(2).

Amendment of the principal Regulations

2.–(1) The principal Regulations are amended in accordance with this regulation.

(2) In regulation 3 (supply of drugs and appliances by chemists)–

(a) in paragraph (1)(a)(i) for "£4.00" substitute "£3.00" and for "£8.00" substitute "£6.00";

(b) in paragraph (1)(a)(ii) for "1st April 2009" substitute "1st April 2010"(3);

(c) in paragraph(1)(b)(i) for "£4.00" substitute "£3.00"; and

(d) in paragraph (1)(b)(ii) for "1st April 2009" substitute "1st April 2010"(4).

(3) In regulation 4 (supply of drugs and appliances by doctors)–

(a) in paragraph (1)(a) for "£4.00" substitute "£3.00" and for "£8.00" substitute "£6.00"; and

(b) in paragraph (1)(b) for "£4.00" substitute "£3.00".

(4) In regulation 5 (supply of drugs and appliances to out-‘patients)–

(a) in paragraph (1)(a) for "£4.00" substitute "£3.00" and for "£8.00" substitute "£6.00";

(b) in paragraph (1)(b) for "£8.00" substitute "£6.00"; and

(c) in paragraph (1)(c) for "£4.00" substitute "£3.00".

(5) In regulation 8 (pre-‘payment certificates), in paragraph (4) for "£13.00" substitute "£10.00" and for "£38.00" substitute "£28.00".

(6) In Schedule 1 (charges for fabric supports and wigs), in column 2 for "£4.00" each time it appears substitute "£3.00".

Transitional provisions

3. Regulation 2(2) to (6) applies in relation to supplies of drugs and appliances and payments for pre-‘payment certificates made on or after 1st April 2010 except that–

(a) the amendment of regulation 8(4) (pre-‘payment certificates) of the principal Regulations by regulation 2(5) shall apply in respect of such applications, as referred to in regulation 8(1) of the principal Regulations, as are received on or after that date; and

(b) the amendments to Schedule 1 of the principal Regulations by regulation 2(6) shall apply only where the examination or first examination leading to the supply of the specified appliance takes place on or after that date.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations amend the National Health Service (Charges for Drugs and Appliances) (Scotland) Regulations 2008 ("the principal Regulations") which provide for the making and recovery of charges for drugs, medicines and appliances supplied by chemists providing pharmaceutical services, doctors providing services under a general medical services contract or section 17C arrangements, or by Health Boards to out-‘patients.

Regulation 2(2) to (4) decreases the charge for drugs, medicines and appliances from £4.00 to £3.00.

Regulation 2(2)(b) and (d) updates the principal Regulations so that the charge for a prescription presented on an English, Welsh or Northern Irish prescription form will reflect the English rate from 1st April 2010.

Regulation 2(5) decreases the sum payable in respect of a pre-‘payment certificate from £13.00 to £10.00 for a 4 month certificate, and from £38.00 to £28.00 for a 12 month certificate.

Regulation 2(6) decreases the charge payable for fabric supports and wigs from £4.00 to £3.00.

Regulation 3 provides that the amendments made by regulation 2(2) to (6) shall apply in respect of supplies of drugs and appliances and payments for pre-‘payment certificates made on or after 1st April 2010, except that the amendment made by regulation 2(5) shall apply to applications for pre-‘payment certificates received on or after 1st April 2010, and the amendment made by regulation 2(6) applies where the examination leading to the supply of an appliance takes place on or after 1st April 2010.