June 18th 2025

By Ailsa Colquhoun

Dispensing practice EPS and reimbursement raised in Parliament

The lack of funding for the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) and reimbursement disparity in dispensing practice have been raised in Parliament.

In response to questions raised by Vikki Slade (Liberal Democrats) (Mid Dorset and North Poole) health minister Stephen Kinnock (Labour) said that the dispensing fee was intended to cover dispensing costs.

On disparities between pharmacy and dispensing GP reimbursement, he referred to the Statement of Financial Entitlement Directions, stating that this sets out the reimbursements general practices (GPs), including dispensing GPs, are entitled to.

In response, the DDA and BMA will again raise the issue of EPS in dispensing practice, the limitations of the dispensing fee and the difference between remuneration and reimbursement.  

• The potential for hub and spoke dispensing monopolies in rural areas has also been raised in the Lords by crossbench peer Baroness Finlay of Llandaff