Community Pharmacy England is warning that pharmacies may need to amend their dispensing processes with the introduction of original pack dispensing for NHS prescriptions in the new year.

From 1 January 2025 amendments made to the pharmacy regulations state that the supervising pharmacist must consider dispensing up to 10 per cent more or less than the prescribed quantity, as appropriate, if that would mean the medicine could be dispensed in the manufacturer’s original pack.

Although pharmacists must consider OPD from 1 January, the DHSC and CPE say that it is reasonable for pharmacists to opt out of using the OPD provisions (there is no requirement to use them) until the IT systems have been fully developed to tested to support OPD functionality.

For NHS dispensing, the OPD +/-10 per cent rules only apply to prescriptions issued electronically via EPS. All FP10 paper prescriptions (including any cross-border paper prescriptions dispensed in England) are excluded from OPD +/-10 per cent rules so pharmacists will only be able to supply the prescribed quantity.

All Schedules 1-4 CDs, Part IX appliances, unlicensed specials, products classed as special containers, products supplied under SSPs, and medicines supplied via PGDs also fall outside the scope of OPD +/-10 per cent rules.

For EPS prescriptions dispensed from 1 January 2025, NHS BSA will utilise the existing quantity field in the Electronic Reimbursement Endorsement Message (EREM) or EPS claim message to check for the quantity supplied and reimburse accordingly (provided OPD rules have been followed correctly).

To support pharmacy teams preparing for OPD, CPE has prepared guidance material and FAQs to help with the changes.