Mechanism for bringing the arrangements into place
Any arrangements would be implemented through specific routes in England, Wales and
Scotland. In England, this would be through NHSE-I commissioning routes and would
require approval by DHSC senior civil servants on behalf of DHSC Ministers. The
measures would require consultation with Welsh and Scottish Ministers when they are
affected. Any arrangements would be:
？ limited to a defined time period (a maximum of three months, which can be
extended for further periods of not more than three months); and
？ limited to England, Scotland, Wales, any combination of which, or the whole of the
UK (Northern Ireland can issue their own or joint protocol).
FREQUENCY OF INSTALMENTS ON INSTALMENT PRESCRIPTIONS
The Government is putting in place various measures to free-up capacity and maintain
safe supply of medicines. As part of this, we propose to amend the 2001 Regulations to
allow pharmacists to vary the frequency of supply from an instalment prescription,
following the instructions of the prescriber or their appointed representative of the NHS
service responsible for the original prescription (if available). For example, moving from
“three times a week” to “once a week”. These instructions could be by phone or email but,
if by phone, must be followed up by written confirmation. The total quantity supplied would
remain as specified on the prescription.
The proposals will also minimise social contact within pharmacies, helping to protect frontline
staff and patients by enabling reductions in the frequency of collections of medication. 

 Mechanism for bringing the arrangements into place
Any arrangements would be implemented through specific routes in England, Wales and
Scotland. In England, this would be through NHSE-I commissioning routes and would
require approval by DHSC senior civil servants on behalf of DHSC Ministers. The
measures would require consultation with Welsh and Scottish Ministers when they are
affected. Any arrangements would be:
？ limited to a defined time period (a maximum of three months, which can be
extended for further periods of not more than three months); and
？ limited to England, Scotland, Wales, any combination of which, or the whole of the
UK (Northern Ireland can issue their own or joint protocol).
FREQUENCY OF INSTALMENTS ON INSTALMENT PRESCRIPTIONS
The Government is putting in place various measures to free-up capacity and maintain
safe supply of medicines. As part of this, we propose to amend the 2001 Regulations to
allow pharmacists to vary the frequency of supply from an instalment prescription,
following the instructions of the prescriber or their appointed representative of the NHS
service responsible for the original prescription (if available). For example, moving from
“three times a week” to “once a week”. These instructions could be by phone or email but,
if by phone, must be followed up by written confirmation. The total quantity supplied would
remain as specified on the prescription.
The proposals will also minimise social contact within pharmacies, helping to protect frontline
staff and patients by enabling reductions in the frequency of collections of medication.