In Business

Follow this topic

Bookmark

Record learning outcomes

Numark chairman Harry McQuillan has urged the Government to set out an “economic model” clarifying how legislative change on hub and spoke dispensing which comes into effect later this year will benefit pharmacies.

An amendment to the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 will allow pharmacies owned by different legal entities to carry out hub and spoke dispensing from October 1. Up until now, only pharmacies owned by the same legal entity have been permitted to operate the model.

As part of the process, prescriptions will be sent to the hub which will assemble the medicines and send them to the pharmacy for supply to the patient.

McQuillan (pictured) welcomed the change in law, insisting it will enable “greater flexibility and efficiency in community pharmacy” but questioned why Labour had failed to produce an economic blueprint.

“While the operational model is now broadly understood, what remains unclear is the economic model, and that will be critical in determining how this change will truly benefit the sector,” he said.

McQuillan said Numark was “actively exploring” how the new legislation “could open up opportunities” for its members.

“We are working to evaluate solutions that could support them to access the benefits of scale, while maintaining their local presence and patient relationships,” he said.

“As always, the detail will be key. We await changes to pharmacy regulations to provide the clarity needed for our members to make informed decisions. It’s essential the regulatory and economic frameworks align to offer genuine, practical advantages to the sector.

“We remain committed to supporting our members through these changes, ensuring that any new models unlock commercial opportunities, help address workforce pressures and ultimately enhance patient care."