National Centre for Remote and Rural Health and Care Information Hub

Description: What and Why

There are in excess of 94 Dispensing GP practices in Scotland that provide a vital role in rural and island communities across Scotland, ensuring that patients have access to prescribed medication, even when they live some distance from a Community Pharmacy.

The role of the G. P Dispensing Practices and their team provide, a high quality, safe and sustainable service, that is an important element to the sustainability of rural communities and is highly valued by patients. The Centre team has worked in partnership with stakeholders to develop an online training package for practice managers, administrative staff and others who dispense medicines within rural Primary Care Practices. 

Background: Who and How

The training development involved collaboration with several key stakeholders from Health Boards, the Rural GP Association of Scotland (RGPAS),  GP Practices, the Doctors Dispensing Association (DDA), Scottish Government and Pharmacy colleagues. A training group was established in 2023 to guide the training development, national consultation highlighted that a training package was required to be developed for staff involved in Dispensing Medicines that covers:

• An Introduction to a Dispensing Practice
• The Role of the Dispensing Admin and Dispensing Checker
• Dispensing Reimbursement
• An Example Payment Schedule (coming soon)
• VAT and Dispensing Practices
• The Scottish Drug Tariff

Expected outcome:  When and What Difference

• Provide high quality accessible online training for Dispensing GP Practice managers and admin staff by September 2025
• Support Dispensing GP Practice staff to dispense medicines safely and effectively
• Educate practice managers/admin staff to understand VAT and reimbursement requirements
• Support Dispensing GP Practices to continue to provide a sustainable service to remote, rural & Island communities throughout Scotland
• The Centre’s evaluation team will assess the effectiveness of the education and training designed for Dispensing GP Practices.

To find out more and undertake the training programme please visit Dispensing GP Practices Training Programme.