EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations provide for the revocation of the National Health Service (Charges for Drugs and Appliances) (Scotland) Regulations 2008, (“the 2008 Regulations”) thereby abolishing prescription charges payable in relation to Scottish prescription forms which are presented to pharmacists in Scotland and abolishing charges payable in relation to Welsh prescription forms which are presented to pharmacists in Scotland. (Charges payable in relation to Northern Irish prescription forms which are presented to pharmacists in Scotland were abolished by virtue of the National Health Service (Charges for Drugs and Appliances) (Scotland) Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 2010 (S.S.I. 2010/366)).

Regulation 3 retains the charges payable in relation to English prescription forms which are presented to pharmacists in Scotland.

Regulation 4 provides for exemptions from charges for certain patients.

Regulation 5 provides that any person who has paid a charge but who was entitled to be exempt from that charge can claim a refund of such a charge.

Regulation 6 introduces the Schedule which makes consequential amendments to other enactments made necessary through the revocation of the 2008 Regulations and the retention of charges against English prescription forms.

Regulation 7 revokes the 2008 Regulations and those regulations which made amendments to the 2008 Regulations.