About Dispensing Practice
Dispensing doctors are general practitioners (GPs) who provide primary healthcare to around 10.07 million rural patients. Almost 3.58 million of these patients live remotely from a community pharmacy; at the patient's request dispensing doctors are allowed to dispense the medicines they prescribe for these patients.
Only certain patients are eligible to receive dispensing services from a dispensing doctor; in total, around 7% of all prescription items are dispensed by doctors.
The unique benefits of the dispensing doctor service are that it provides access to medicines and general healthcare under one roof.
A total network of 1,084 dispensing practices across Great Britain is located as follows:
England: 935 dispensing practices, 9.54 million registered patients (May 2025) NHS Digital
Scotland: 82 dispensing practices, 217,008 registered patients (November 2025). Public Health Scotland
Wales: 67 dispensing practices, 312,354 registered patients (August 2025) NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership
Briefing Papers
The DDA has produced a number of briefing papers on dispensing practice
Dispensing practice in England: a briefing paper for NHS commissioners: high res version; low res version
Dispensing practice finances: A guide for ICBs (2025)
Dispensing practice finances: A guide for Welsh HBs (2025)
Dispensing practice finances: A guide for Scottish HBs (2025)
Pharmaceutical Needs Assessments: a briefing paper for LMCs in England
Pharmaceutical Needs Assessments: a briefing paper for LMCs in Wales
Other information relating to dispensing practice
