Dr Richard West will today urge dispensing GPs to write to their MPs about the cut in dispensing fees effective from October 1, 2021.

In his chairman’s address to the DDA 2021 annual conference, taking place today (October 13) and tomorrow, Dr West will highlight cuts that have seen the dispensing fee fall from 226.5p in October 20 to 172.5p in October 21 (for GPs dispensing the highest prescription volumes). This is due to increases in dispensing volumes seen during COVID-19.

He will also urge GPs to use the template letter drafted by the DDA to inform MPs of the cut, which represents a U-turn in NHS England policy of ‘no detriment’ to contractors as a result of COVID-19.

The template letter is available online.

His annual address to dispensing GPs will also look at:

• Reimbursement
• Pharmaceutical needs assessments (PNA)
• PCN
• EPS
• Pharmacy
• Shortages
• Securing the future.

His key message to politicians is to protect dispensing practice as a cost effective system of medicines supply in rural areas, and the need for rural health policy.

View the presentation.