100 hour Exemption removed

I was interested to read about the removal of the 100 hour contract exemption this week, and I'm sure it will be much welcomed by many worried contractors...This exemption was brought in a few years ago and led to a massive number of these contract applications...Perhaps some have been warranted in certain circumstances; but the vast majority have been seen as unjustified by many leading to problems for existing contractors. Certainly the LPC has spent a considerable sum of contractor's money addressing these applications - and has been worried about the destabilising effect large numbers of new contracts have on the existing contractor network. 
 
The removal of the exemption was achieved through amendments to the regulations, such that, new market entrants will be judged on a new market entry test based on the pharmaceutical needs assessment (PNA).
 
The LPC is looking forward to working with the PCT via the PNA to plan pharmacy openings, and new services, where they will bring real benefit to patients...

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