The National Health Service (Pharmaceutical and Local Pharmaceutical Services) Regulations 2013

Taking effect of listing decisions: general

34.—(1) As regards any application—

(a) for inclusion in a pharmaceutical list by a person who is not already included in it; or

(b) by a person who is included in a pharmaceutical list and who is seeking—

(i) to open, within the area of the relevant HWB, additional premises from which to provide the same or different pharmaceutical services,

(ii) to relocate to different premises, and at those premises to provide the same or different pharmaceutical services, or

(iii) to provide, from the person’s listed chemist premises, services that are in addition to those already listed in relation to that person,

if the application is granted, paragraph (2) applies.

(2) Subject to paragraph 35, the NHSCB may only change a pharmaceutical list to give effect to that decision if the successful applicant (P) gives the NHSCB a valid notice of commencement, in the correct form, informing the NHSCB that P is to commence the provision of the services in respect of which the application was made and at the premises to which the application related in the next 14 days.

(3) A notice of commencement is in the correct form if it—

(a) includes the information required under paragraph 29; and

(b) is in the same format as the version of the notice sent by the NHSCB with the notice of decision under paragraph 28.

(4) A notice of commencement is invalid unless it is sent to the NHSCB within—

(a) if, prior to the NHSCB determining the application—

(i) P undertook to commence the provision of the services in respect of which the application was made within a period of less than 6 months, and

(ii) that undertaking was not withdrawn,

that period;

(b) 6 months of—

(i) unless paragraph (a) applies, the date on which P was sent the notice of the NHSCB’s decision under paragraph 28 granting the application,

(ii) if the grant was appealed by a person with third party appeal rights, the date on which that appeal is determined by the Secretary of State,

(iii) if, in the course of granting the application, a decision is taken to impose a condition in accordance with regulation 35 and that condition is appealed by P, the date on which that appeal is determined by the First-tier Tribunal (unless regulation 35(8) applies),

(iv) if the grant of the application was subject to a condition imposed by virtue of paragraph 31, the date on which—

(aa) P validly notifies to the NHSCB under a condition imposed by virtue of paragraph 31 of the address of the premises, or

(bb) if P appeals successfully against a decision of the NHSCB that a notification under a condition imposed by virtue of paragraph 31 is invalid, that appeal is determined by the Secretary of State,

(v) if P, pursuant to paragraph 32—

(aa) notifies the NHSCB of a new address,

(bb) the NHSCB does not accept the validity of the notification, and

(cc) P appeals successfully against that decision,

the date on which that appeal is determined by the Secretary of State, or

(vi) if the grant of the application was subject to a condition imposed by virtue of paragraph 33, the date on which the condition imposed by virtue of that paragraph becomes spent or is removed on appeal, or

whichever is the latest; or

(c) such longer period—

(i) not exceeding a further 3 months as the NHSCB may allow, or

(ii) if—

(aa) the grant is appealed by a person with third party appeal rights,

(bb) a decision to accept a notification pursuant to paragraph 32 is appealed by a third party,

(cc) P appeals successfully against a notice under paragraph 35, or

(dd) if P appeals successfully against a decision not to allow a longer period under sub-paragraph (i),

as the Secretary of State may allow when the appeal is determined,

and so once a valid notice of commencement can no longer be sent in relation to an application (having regard also to paragraph 10(2) of Schedule 3), the grant of that application lapses.

(5) A notice of commencement ceases to have effect if the Secretary of State receives a valid notice of appeal—

(a) from a person with third party appeal rights relating to the grant to which the notice of commencement relates; or

(b) from a third party, in a case to which sub-paragraph (4)(c)(ii)(bb) applies.