These Regulations amend the National Health Service (Cross-Border Health Care) (Scotland) Regulations 2013 (“the 2013 Regulations”).

They implement in Scotland Article 4 of Commission Implementing Directive 2012/52/EU of 20th December 2012, laying down measures to facilitate the recognition of medical prescriptions issued in another Member State. The 2013 Regulations implement in Scotland provisions of Directive 2011/24/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on the application of patients’ rights in cross-border healthcare.

Regulation 2 inserts a new regulation 5A and a Schedule into the 2013 Regulations which places a duty on the National Contact Point (NHS 24) to ensure that information is made available to patients on the elements required to be included in prescriptions which are issued in one Member State and intended to be used in another Member State. The matters which must be included are set out in the new Schedule.

No business and regulatory impact assessment has been prepared for these Regulations as no impact upon business, charities or voluntary bodies is foreseen.