Overview

• Pharmacy leaders say 1968-era rules prevent community pharmacists from adjusting prescriptions even when an equivalent strength or formulation is in stock.
• A National Pharmacy Association poll of 400 pharmacists found 97% saw patients wait at least a day for a new prescription and 95% reported patients going without despite an available alternative.
• Reported impacts include week-long delays for quetiapine, difficulties switching methylphenidate for ADHD, and an eight-year-old sent to A&E when only a different antibiotic formulation was available.
• Current restrictions block practical substitutions such as supplying tablets instead of capsules or two 10mg tablets in place of one 20mg dose.
• The Department of Health and Social Care says it will soon consult on proposals to permit alternative strengths or quantities, with issues reported across England, Wales and Northern Ireland and fewer problems cited in Scotland.