On 1 July 2016, pharmacy contractors will be required by their terms of service, before supplying the drug or appliance, to advise the person claiming exemption from payment of NHS prescription charges – where evidence is required but not provided – that NHS checks are routinely undertaken to verify that such persons are exempt from payment of NHS prescription charges, as part of arrangements for preventing or detecting fraud or error. It is up to pharmacy teams how this is done but it must be in “appropriate terms”.

This PSNC Briefing aims to remind community pharmacy teams that this change will be taking place and includes our tips of key things to consider to make compliance with this new requirement a matter of routine.