News » Political News » Extended GP dispensing rights mooted in Parliament
October 22nd 2025
Short-term measures to secure patients’ access to medicines should include allowing dispensing GPs to step in, health minister Stephen Kinnock has said.
In a debate, he said that the DHSC was working “at pace” with ICBs to ensure continuity of care in the event of pharmacy closures or medicine shortages: “Such plans involve working with other local pharmacies and dispensing GP practices to ensure that patients continue to have access to medicines.”
The debate was raised by West Dorset Liberal Democrat MP following concerns about Jhoots Pharmacy branches, including closures, unpaid or unsupervised staff and breaches of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
Kinnock also said he was working to speed up the regulatory process for pharmacies in breach of professional or contractual obligations.
