The NHS terms of service* for pharmacies say that prescribed medicines must be supplied “with reasonable promptness”. It is not the kind of statutory provision that lends itself to definition. However, the issue came up recently in a Parliamentary question to the Pharmacy minister, Stephen Kinnock MP, in the context of delivery delays on the part of Royal Mail.
The Minister is quoted in the Pharmacy press as saying:
“Pharmacy contractors in England are required by the NHS Terms of Service to dispense medicines and appliances ordered on National Health Service prescriptions with reasonable promptness …
“Reasonable promptness is not defined by a fixed number of days or hours but requires pharmacies to consider clinical needs of a patient and what is operationally feasible.
“Where a delivery company is involved as a third party, it remains the responsibility of the NHS pharmacy contractor to ensure they continue meeting their NHS Terms of Service.”
*For example, in the case of England, Schedule 4 to the National Health Service (Pharmaceutical and Local Pharmaceutical Services) Regulations 2013.