September 30th 2026

By Ailsa Colquhoun

Health Bill threatens dispensing fee change, DDA 2026 Conference hears

Potential changes to the dispensing fee payment framework will be discussed by the DDA as the Health Bill progresses through Parliament, the DDA 2026 conference has heard.

Opening the conference, the DDA Chairman and DDA regional chairs explored the political environment across Great Britain.

Speaking about the Health Bill in England, DDA Chairman Dr Richard West said that the Health Bill proposed ‘technical changes’ to pharmaceutical services provisions (specifically clause 42) to enable provision by medical practices rather than individual medical practitioners.

Dr West explained that this has the potential to affect dispensing fee payments, which are currently paid by individual prescriber volumes. He reaassured the conference that the DDA was in discussion with the DHSC legal team about the implications for dispensing practices, and this was a useful opportunity to discuss wider challenges to dispensing GP reimbursement. The October feescale adjustment is due to be published tomorrow.

During the State of the Nations presentation, DDA representatives for England, Wales and Scotland discussed the political environment, the state of GP dispensing contract negotiations and the roll out of electronic prescribing. 

Delegates were urged to bring dispensing GP issues to the political spotlight through communication with local LMCs and by using the DDA's political lobby materials. 

Questions arising from the presentation covered the growing impact of Category H reimbursement and improving the response of GPC England to approved dispensing motions.

Audio recordings and presentations from the DDA Conference will be available online after the conference.