What guidance has the Welsh Government issued to pharmacies concerning charges they may impose for delivering prescription medication?
The Government deplores the decision of any pharmacy company to charge for the delivery of prescriptions to patients who would have difficulty in collecting their prescription from the pharmacy. Pharmacies are independent businesses and arrangements made between patients and pharmacies for the delivery of prescriptions are outside current NHS contractual arrangements. It is not for Government to provide guidance on such matters.
That said, I am deeply disappointed that some in the community pharmacy sector have taken these actions which are driven by UK Government cuts to the sector in England, applied without regard to the continued investment we are making in Wales. I will consider what steps might be taken to secure continuation of free deliveries for vulnerable patients in Wales as part of ongoing reform of the community pharmacy contractual framework.