Following the PSNC's application to the High Court for a Judicial Review. The High Court has granted permission for a Judicial Review of the Secretary of State’s October decision to implement cuts to community pharmacy funding and other changes. The hearing is to be expedited and will be heard in the week commencing 6 February 2017.
The Judge has indicated that if the Secretary of State seeks a later hearing date (which would give him more time to prepare his case), the question of whether there should be a delay in the implementation of the legislation while the case is ongoing, will arise.
PSNC sought permission from the High Court to apply for the Judicial Review in December, on the grounds that it believes the Secretary of State failed to carry out a lawful consultation on the proposals for community pharmacy.
Read more about PSNC’s application for leave for a Judicial Review.
PSNC Chief Executive Sue Sharpe said:
“PSNC still very much regrets that the process the NHS has followed in the past year has made it impossible to avoid taking legal action; however we are pleased that our application for leave has been granted and will be heard early in 2017.”