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Concerns have been raised that some patients are being prevented from changing their nominated pharmacy for their prescriptions and others being switched without their consent. 

The issue was discussed at CPE’s November committee meeting, with the negotiator’s legislation and regulatory subcommittee agreeing that there is “no place for auto-nomination” and that NHS regulations “are clear that changing a patient’s nomination requires the consent of the patient”.  

The meeting also heard that “some PMR systems” are “now introducing the functionality to prevent patients from changing their nomination to another pharmacy despite the patient wanting to do so”. 

CPE did not clarify which PMR systems have introduced this function when approached by P3pharmacy but did reply that the warning relates to “a few isolated cases”. 

In a November 28 bulletin, CPE reminded contractors that their terms of service state they must nominate patients who request this and may not reverse their decision, as patients must be allowed to change their nomination without the need to consult the pharmacy that is currently nominated.

The General Pharmaceutical Council’s guidance on patient consent states that switching a patient’s nominated pharmacy without their consent “could be a serious matter” and can cause delays in them receiving their nomination “as well as undermining trust in the profession,” said CPE. 

The negotiator added: “It may also amount to a misuse of sensitive patient information in breach of data protection legislation. 

“Patients must give informed, explicit consent if they want to change their nominated pharmacy.”

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