Hub and spoke dispensing expected to start from 29 October

The first hub and spoke dispensing is expected to take place from 29 October 2025, Community Pharmacy England has announced.

The pharmacy negotiator is currently discussing a 28-day notice period for starting hub and spoke dispensing, after legislation for England comes into force on 1 October 2025.

The Human Medicines (Amendments Relating to Hub and Spoke Dispensing etc.) Regulations 2025 also set out certain stipulations for hub and spoke dispensing, which also affect dispensing GPs:

The spoke dispensary must have written arrangements with the hub pharmacy; these must include a comprehensive agreement of the responsibilities each has for the shared dispensing process.

The spoke must supply the medicine to the patient, the hub having assembled or part assembled it.

The dispensed medicine must be labelled with the spoke’s name and address, and the date on which the hub assembled or part assembled the medicine (as well as the usual information required on a dispensing label).

The sharing of patient data between the hub and spoke (without the explicit consent of a patient) is permitted through an information gateway. The spoke must display an appropriate notice to patients and staff at the spoke and hub to maintain the confidentiality of the patient data.

Hub and spoke dispensing is not mandatory. According to the impact assessment supporting the regulations, smaller businesses are expected to benefit from the proposals, as they are less likely to be able to benefit from automation within its own business. Pharmacist time at the spoke pharmacy is expected to become available for additional advice and NHS clinical services.

Community Pharmacy England is discussing amendments to permit the NHS spoke pharmacy to subcontract part of the NHS Essential Dispensing Service to the hub.

Dispensary guidance news England