Pharmacist Nick Thorn, of nearby Cyncoed Pharmacy, said he had received "an awful lot of support" from local pharmacists, who were anxious about how this dispensing model could affect their businesses. "Everybody is very concerned. Any locality wants to keep their own business [within] their area," he said.

Some patients had been "confused" by the offer of the service, while others were "absolutely furious" and had written to the surgery and local councillor to complain, he added.

Local pharmacy contractor Paul Mayberry, managing director of Mayberry Pharmacy, said he was concerned that the concept could spell "the end of community pharmacy" if it became popular.

"I'm not only worried for [Mr Thorn], but also for me and all the other pharmacists. It's a very clever idea, unless you're on the receiving end of it," he told C+D.

Pharmacy bodies expressed concern about whether the surgeries hosting the dispensing service could be breaching British Medical Association (BMA) guidelines issued last year, which warned GPs against manipulating the prescription management process in favour of a particular pharmacy.

BMA view

"We are aware of this [service]. We have had no complaints or concerns raised to us by practices, but we are aware that community pharmacists are not very happy. As long as practices are following due diligence in not directing patients to a particular service, then arrangements they come to are a matter for the two parties concerned." Dr Charlotte Jones, chair of the BMA's Welsh GP committee

PSNC view

"PSNC has raised concerns with the Department of Health about prescription-directing in the past and we remain interested in hearing about any cases where pharmacies are concerned about possible breaches of the regulations or terms of service. PSNC does not have regulatory powers, but we do help LPCs identify whether there may be a breach that could be passed to NHS England for investigation." Steve Lutener, PSNC head of regulation

Cardiff pharmacists express fears over surgery-based script delivery service

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