Pharmacists call for legal changes to help patients

PHARMACY leaders have called for action to prevent holdups which can occur when medicines are out of stock.

- ELLA PICKOVER

Pharmacists do not currently have the power to alter a prescription.

For instance, pharmacists are prohibited from supplying tablets rather than capsules, or two 10mg tablets in place of one 20mg tablet.

This can leave patients travelling from pharmacy to pharmacy to get their prescription, or having to go back to the GP to get a new prescription to match the medication available in a pharmacy.

In some cases, it can leave patients waiting for weeks for their prescription, the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) said.

It said that out of date legislation was prohibiting pharmacists from supplying a suitable alternative for patients.