Dispensing doctors are GPs, normally covering rural areas, who dispense medicines to their patients. As part of the contract review for 2006/7, NHS Employers and the GPC agreed a number of changes to the arrangements for this group
The changes include:
- the removal of the link between pay and drug costs and the development of a new system for the remuneration of dispensing doctors
- the removal of 90% of the current container cost allowance
- the inclusion of £1.4m to support dispensing practices in meeting their responsibilities under the Disability Discrimination Act 2005
- changes to VAT reimbursement arrangements
- the development of guidance on excessive and inappropriate prescribing.
Dispensing doctors and VAT
As agreed as part of the changes to the GMS contract for 2006/07, the Department of Health is no longer paying an allowance for VAT on certain areas to those dispensing doctors who are not registered for VAT with Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
New Dispensing Fee Scale
A new dispensing fee scale came into effect on 1st April 2006.
Last reviewed 11 Apr 2007
