Guidance on the NHS (pharmaceutical and local pharmaceutical services) (amendment) regulations 2023 has now been published.

NHS England and NHS Improvement has published guidance on the amendments to the NHS (Pharmaceutical and Local Pharmaceutical Services) Regulations 2013, which introduced nationally agreed changes to the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework for pharmacy and dispensing appliance contractors. These changes come into force on several dates; 9 November 2020, 1 January 2021, 15 February 2021 and 1 April 2021.

The guidance sets out in detail the requirements contractors must comply with from 9 November 2020 onwards, including:

• The new NHS Discharge Medicines Service and new requirements for the promotion of healthy living.
• The requirements for consultation rooms, electronic communication and remote access, pandemic treatment protocols, the flexible provision of services during a pandemic, health campaigns, and activities to be carried out in relation to dispensing services.

Full details of the regulatory changes and the dates from which they come into force can be found in the guidance: Guidance on the National Health Service (Charges and Pharmaceutical and Local Pharmaceutical Services) (Amendment) Regulations 2020.

The assessment of compliance for the promotion of healthy living template is also available to support contractors with meeting the requirements from January 2021.