Six English LMCs raise dispensing motions in November conference

Six LMCs have submitted 16 accepted dispensing motions for the 2025 English LMC conference.

Initially proposed by DDA Board member and Devon GP Dr David Jenner, the Devon motion highlights challenges with the dispensing fee, clawback, dispensing IT, in particular the electronic prescription service, and asks to establish a formalised structure for dispensing negotiations.

Among its three motions, many of which are shared by other rural LMCs, Cambridgeshire LMC highlights the obsolescence (13 years old) of the dispensing contract and lack of inflationary and other cost uplifts, while key for Oxfordshire is to immediately abolish the one-mile rule.

Kernow LMC has called for Drug Tariff price concessions to apply to dispensing practices, while Buckinghamshire LMC demands equal recognition and funding as community pharmacy. The Suffolk motions, also supported by DDA members, also call on GPCE to address loss-making dispensing.

Finally, Cambridgeshire LMC calls for GPCE to work with the DHSC to ensure that prescribing regulations and guidance recognise the unique nature of rural dispensing practice.

The dispensing motions, which reflect many of the challenges to dispensing practice identified by the DDA, are contained in motion 7 of the conference (scheduled time 11.20). DDA chairman Dr Richard West says he delighted to see these crucial issues for dispensing GPs raised in such an important forum for GP politics.

The 2025 LMC England conference takes place on Friday 7 November and is titled ‘The Access Ilusion’.

Speaker slips for motion 7 can be submitted online.

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