VATHLT6150 - Dispensing by a GP: Which GPs can dispense drugs?

In order to protect pharmacists’ trade, GPs are not normally allowed to dispense drugs on the NHS. However, some GPs can dispense drugs on the NHS to patients who would not otherwise have sufficient access to NHS pharmacy services. The usual qualification is that a patient lives more than 1 mile from their nearest pharmacy, although there are others. The NHS therefore allows or compels the GP, often in a rural area, to provide pharmacy services to these patients.