New Legislation Introduces Hub and Spoke Dispensing for Medicines in the UK
London, UK – June 30, 2025 – The UK government has today announced the publication of new legislation, “The Human Medicines (Amendments Relating to Hub and Spoke Dispensing etc.) Regulations 2025,” which introduces significant changes to the dispensing of medicines across Great Britain. The regulations, which came into effect on June 30, 2025, aim to modernize pharmaceutical services and improve efficiency within the sector.
At the heart of these new regulations is the formal introduction and framework for “hub and spoke dispensing.” This model allows for a more flexible and potentially cost-effective approach to dispensing prescriptions, particularly in large pharmacy chains. In essence, a “hub” pharmacy will process and prepare prescriptions, while “spoke” pharmacies, often located at different sites, will then dispense the prepared medicines to patients. This system is designed to leverage resources more effectively, potentially freeing up pharmacists in spoke pharmacies to spend more time on patient consultations and clinical services.
The legislation provides detailed provisions governing how hub and spoke dispensing operations must be conducted to ensure patient safety and the integrity of the dispensing process remain paramount. Key aspects covered include:
- Licensing and Registration: Requirements for pharmacies wishing to operate under a hub and spoke model, ensuring appropriate oversight and accountability.
- Operational Standards: Clear guidelines on the processes and procedures that must be in place for the accurate and secure transfer of prescriptions and medicines between hub and spoke sites.
- Record Keeping: Detailed mandates for maintaining comprehensive records at both hub and spoke locations, facilitating traceability and quality assurance.
- Pharmacist Responsibility: Clarification of the roles and responsibilities of pharmacists involved in the hub and spoke dispensing process, ensuring that professional standards are upheld at all stages.
- Patient Safety Measures: Robust measures to safeguard patient information and ensure that the correct medication is dispensed to the correct patient, even when multiple sites are involved.
The introduction of hub and spoke dispensing is a development that has been anticipated within the pharmacy sector. It is expected to offer several benefits, including:
- Increased Efficiency: By centralizing some dispensing functions, pharmacies can potentially streamline their operations, leading to faster prescription turnaround times.
- Resource Optimization: This model can allow for better allocation of skilled pharmacy staff, potentially enabling more pharmacists to focus on direct patient care and clinical services at spoke sites.
- Support for Rural and Underserved Areas: Hub and spoke models could potentially facilitate the provision of pharmacy services in areas where establishing a fully staffed community pharmacy is challenging.
The Department of Health and Social Care, responsible for the legislation, has emphasized that patient safety and the quality of pharmaceutical services remain the highest priorities. The regulations have been developed following extensive consultation with stakeholders, including pharmacy bodies, patient groups, and healthcare professionals.
Pharmacies and other organizations involved in the pharmaceutical supply chain are advised to review the full text of “The Human Medicines (Amendments Relating to Hub and Spoke Dispensing etc.) Regulations 2025” to understand the specific requirements and implications for their operations. The aim of this legislative update is to support a modern, efficient, and patient-centred approach to medicine dispensing in the United Kingdom.
The Human Medicines (Amendments Relating to Hub and Spoke Dispensing etc.) Regulations 2025
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