**** 2014 UPDATE ****
Reading this old blog, I cannot help but consider what a great concept this was. Unfortunately, it didn’t work and ended in the worst possible way. Funnily enough, people still ask us how do they make internet pharmacies work or even do internet pharmacies work.
As the internet pharmacy remains an exemption, many pharmacists are submitting applications for distance selling applications. Some with luck, many with not. NHS England are making it more and more difficult to have contracts approved. Many are going to appeal.
And then, even those who have a contract are finding it hard to grow the business. How do you grow your prescription business? How do yo get customers to know about you? How can you compete with the marketing and development budget or large e-pharmacy sites?
The situation is the same now as it was 2 years ago … people need to think of an innovative solution (and legal) to get the business in.
For those applying and considering this option, I implore you to think, … can I make this work?
For those ready to apply, have you prepared a thorough application? Do I need expert advice?
We can help with your application in whatever manner you wish … call us on 01252 302342 to find out how.
**** END UPDATE ****
A recent (December 28th 2011) NHS Appeal panel decision , has closed a loophole that some clearly thought to be open.
A pharmacist obtained an Internet Only Pharmacy contract for a set of premises located in town in the NW of England in a Mews development, located at Number 4.
It also took on the Mews premises situated close by located at No 1, and joined the two premises together using an air tube to facilitate the transfer of prescriptions between the registered premises where the “Internet only/mail order” prescriptions were dispensed, and the nearby unregistered premises where they were deposited or collected by patients.
The appeal panel took the view that the registered pharmacy premises (at Number 4) effectively extend along the air tube to Number 1, and that thereby members of the public who receive pharmaceutical services via the use of this system, will be receiving pharmaceutical services “at the premises” (Number 4) for the purposes of the regulations.
The appeal panel unsurprisingly found the inventive system in use to be be contrary to NHS regulation 13(4) and decided to remove the company concerned from the pharmaceutical list (effectively closing the internet pharmacy at Number 4 down).
You have been warned.
Moral: Experienced advice should be taken before investing in inventive schemes that may subsequently be found to breach the NHS regulations.
(The full details of this fascinating case are currently available to the public on the NHSLA web site-Reference Decision SHA/16541)