Legal Services For Doctors On Dispensing Matters

As the legal adviser to the Dispensing Doctors Association concerning dispensing matters, I offer all members a free initial consultation. This is usually by telephone or e- mail.

The Pharmaceutical Regulations are a legal minefield. It can sometimes happen that health authorities themselves misunderstand them.  I respectfully suggest you do not put a foot into this field without an expert guide to take you through it!

Whether you are thinking of applying to dispense for the first time, considering defensive measures to defend a dispensing practice (which may include a corporate application), or want to review the current position, I will be happy to assist.   For example, a regular review of whether an area is rural, may be well advised.

Changes in the legal and administrative aspects of dispensing have recently accelerated with the 2005 Pharmaceutical Regulations . These have sought, among other matters, to close the notorious ‘loopholes’ under the previous Regulations which made rural dispensing particularly vulnerable. While giving some welcome security to existing rural dispensing, they have added considerably to the complexity of the administrative process where pharmaceutical applications are concerned. No doubt there will be further legal argument on the working of the new Regulations. For the moment, we are all on a learning curve!

The idea of legal advice is to keep clients away from the courts and unnecessary expense, but one needs background knowledge and experience so as to be able to advise.  The day to day practice of Health Authorities concerning dispensing and pharmaceutical matters is also of great importance.  It is particularly useful for members of the Association if all relevant information on procedures and practice up and down the country can be shared.

I have been involved in this specialised work for about ten years and have a ‘feel’ for how various health authorities around the country, as well as the National Health Service Litigation Authority (in Harrogate), have dealt with matters, and have interpreted the Regulations in the past.

Although one can do a great deal on the telephone or in correspondence, it is often helpful to meet in person and I can usually arrange an early appointment anywhere in England and Wales.

Practitioners may contact me at any time, or may send me brief details of any particular problem using the attached form, which on completion can be automatically e-mailed to me.  I will be in touch as soon as I can.

Link to the Dispensing Doctors' Association web site.