(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations amend the National Health Service (Charges for Drugs and Appliances) Regulations 2000 (“the principal Regulations”).
Regulation 2 inserts in Regulation 2 of the principal Regulations a definition of dispensing services to take account of doctors providing services equivalent to pharmaceutical services under a pilot scheme. References to such services are added to Regulation 4 of the principal Regulations by Regulation 4(2). Regulation 2 also amends the definition of “nurse prescriber” to reflect the extended prescribing responsibilities granted to certain nurses.
Regulations 3, 4(3) and (4), 5 to 7, 8(2) and 9 increase the charges payable under the principal Regulations but regulation 10 makes transitional provision for the old charges to apply in respect of certain appliances ordered and pre-payment certificates applied for before the coming into force of the Regulations.
Regulations 8(3) and 8(4) amend the definition of “relevant period” in Regulations 9(9) and (12) of the principal Regulations in order to make clearer the periods in respect of which refunds for pre-payment certificates may be claimed in certain circumstances.