Dispensing Doctors' Association

27/06/2025

Some 83 per cent of reimbursement prices will reduce from July 1, in the latest Cat M adjustment. Eliminating loss-making reimbursement in dispensing practice remains a top priority for the DDA.
If you are not a member, please consider supporting our work at the national and individual level to ensure the future sustainability of dispensing practice.
Our latest newsletter is now online

Flu reimbursement claims are among the issues tackled in the latest NHS BSA Hints and Tips Issue 57 The newsletter notes that during review contractors may get asked to submit additional information to support 2024-25 flu reimbursement claims. Thro

17/06/2025

Exhibition space in the 2025 DDA Conference is filling up.

At the 2025 DDA Conference there are currently 32 exhibitors confirmed. Newcomers for 2025 include B&S Distribution, Becton Dickinson, Bausch & Lomb, Cipla, Curaleaf, Dispensary Market, General Practice Solutions, MediProcurement and Kent.

There is a great mix of wholesalers, manufacturers, dispensing hardware suppliers and seven companies specialising in dispensary profitability.

The DDA 2025 conference and exhibition takes place Weds-Thurs 24-25 September 2025 at a new venue, the National Conference Centre Birmingham B92 0EJ.

The conference provides an ideal opportunity for dispensers, dispensary managers, practice managers, pharmacy technicians, pharmacists, and GPs to network, and we are delighted to offer DDA member practices free places for all members of their teams. Delegate packages include a light lunch and our ever-popular drinks reception on the Wednesday evening.

To register to attend or to book the remaining exhibition space, visit www.dispensingdoctor.org/conference

21/05/2025

The DDA, in collaboration with BMA Cymru, has published a guide to maintaining dispensary profitability. Although focused on Wales, many principles also apply in England and Scotland.
The guide covers:
Discounts/drug costs
Endorsements
Submissions
VAT
Useful resources
Patient satisfaction
Staffing
Profitability review
View the guidance online

19/05/2025

Details of the DDA's 2025 conference programme are now available.
Headlining the DDA 2025 Annual Conference is keynote speaker, health policy commentator and writer Roy Lilley, the DDA has announced.

Other highlights include a forensic analysis of primary care funding by DDA Board Member Dr David Jenner, who will wield his scalpel to expose the truth about GP funding, prescription submission hints and tips, the DDA chairman's address and AGM.

The 2025 DDA conference takes place at the National Conference Centre, Birmingham on Wednesday 24 and Thursday 25 September 2025.

For further details how to book your free DDA member delegate place and to exhibit at the conference, visit:

Headlining the DDA 2025 Annual Conference is keynote speaker, health policy commentator and writer Roy Lilley, the DDA has announced.

28/04/2025

Booking for the 2025 DDA conference is now open. Free places for DDA members are allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.

To secure your place, register now at https://www.eventsforce.net/pcc/3349/home

23/04/2025

Congratulations to five DDA members who polled top for positive GP experience. In the top 10 on this measure are:

Blackdown Practice in Cullompton, Devon
Elsenham Surgery, near Bishops Stortford, Herts
Hamstreet Surgery, near Ashford, Kent
Cartmel Surgery, near Grange over Sands, Cumbria
Corfe Castle Surgery, Corfe Castle, Dorset.

Blackdown scored 100 per cent. However, all practices in the top 10 have positive GP experience scores of over 99 per cent.

According to the study, the average for all England GPs on patient satisfaction is 79.36 per cent.
Read more at https://www.dispensingdoctor.org/news/dda-members-stand-out-in-gp-experience-poll/

08/04/2025

The DDA has launched a dispensary profitability survey to assess the impact of the proposed employer NI increases on the dispensary operation.
The survey is anonymous and seeks information about the staffing and size of the dispensary operation, basic information about dispensing profitability, and how partners plan to cover the increased dispensary staffing costs, following the increased employer NI costs in effect from April 6.
The DDA aims to use the findings to highlight the impact of the increased operational costs on the practice, staff and its patients. The information will also help the DDA, on your behalf, to seek an urgent increase in dispensary remuneration (the dispensing fee) to at least cover these costs.
Please help us to help you. Please take the survey

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/62FYCGB

The survey will close on Friday 25 April.

01/04/2025

Increased employer costs come into effect from today. However, dispensing GPs are yet to see any additional funding for their dispensary teams. Medicine safety and quality needs a safe and quality dispensary team. But, where's the money for it?
Read our press release to see why GP dispensary teams deserve better

The Dispensing Doctors’ Association (DDA) has again urged policymakers to ensure GP dispensing fees recognise the increased GP dispensary operational costs taking effect from today (April 1, 2025).

28/03/2025

The DDA's latest Friday newsletter is out today.
Read it at

06/03/2025

The best research puts figures on what we and our patients already know...

Dispensing Practices, NHS Funding, and the Geography of Inequality published by the Health Equity Evidence Centre records an overall satisfaction score in dispensing practices of 79.2 per cent, versus non dispensing average of 71.6 per cent.

21/02/2025

North Yorks HWB has started work on its Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment for 2025-28. Dispensing GPs are strongly advised to speak to their LMC to ensure your dispensing service is properly documented in the plan and refer them to the DDA guidance for LMCs.
In North Yorks, healthcare professionals are asked to consider the following three points:
1. Access and availability of pharmacies in your area
Consider whether you or service users know where the nearest pharmacies are, whether the opening hours are suitable for your or their needs, and whether accessibility needs are met.

2. Services provided, including any gaps or exceptional practices
Consider whether there are any advanced services provided that meet the needs of you or your service users, for example, needle exchange, or blood pressure monitoring.

3. What works well and what could be improved for your service users?
Consider whether there are any advanced services provided that meet the needs of you or your service users, for example, needle exchange, or blood pressure monitoring.

Please email them to andrew.stewart@northyorks.gov.uk

There is also a survey for the public
https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/your-council/consultations-and-engagement/current-consultations/pharmaceutical-needs-assessment-survey-2025

21/02/2025

It's PNA time in England. The DDA has produced guidance for LMCs to ensure that the GP dispensing service is properly documented in the planning of pharmacy services for the next three years. Dispensing practices are encouraged to send this guidance to their LMC.

The Government has committed to create a more equitable healthcare system that "leaves no person or community behind", health minister Ashley Dalton (West Lancashire) has said in Parliament. In response to a parliamentary question from Tony Vaughan