Public consultation (MLX 362): Sale, supply and administration of medicines by dental hygienists and dental therapists under a Patient Group Direction

Public consultation (MLX 362) seeks your views on proposals to amend medicines legislation to enable dental hygienists and dental therapists to sell, supply and administer medicines under a Patient Group Direction (PGD). The consultation abides by the seven consultation criteria set out in the government’s Code of Practice on Consultation.

Following the consultation, the Commission on Human Medicines (CHM) will be asked to make formal recommendations to ministers, in light of the responses received, on the proposals.

The proposals, if agreed, will be achieved by amendments to the Prescription Only Medicines for (Human Use) Order 1997, (the POM Order), the Medicine (Pharmacy and General Sale – Exemption) Order 1980 and the Medicines (Sale and Supply) (Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations 1980.

Application to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

This consultation has been produced jointly with the Department of Health and is being made available in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland (NI). Medicines regulation is not an excepted or reserved matter as far as NI is concerned and NI’s health minister will be a co-signatory to any legislative amendments.

Amendments to NHS regulations

The opportunity is also being taken within this consultation to seek views on any amendments that will be required to NHS regulations to enable the supply of medicines by dental hygienists and dental therapists, under a PGD at public expense.

No changes are required to the NHS regulations in England. Changes may be required to relevant NHS regulations in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland together with any associated aspects of the relevant drug tariffs.

The consultation is open for 12 weeks. Responses should arrive no later than 20 November 2009.

› Response form for MLX 362