Since 1985 and mutual recognition of EU pharmacists, the UK took advantage of a derogation to prohibit EU pharmacists from becoming the pharmacist “in personal control”, later replaced with the Responsible Pharmacist, for a pharmacy which had been established for less than three years. An Order , the Medicines Act 1968 (Pharmacy) Order 2011 SI No 2647 has removed this prohibition from 3rd November 2011.

Two statutory instruments, the NHS Commissioning Board Authority (Establishment and Constitution) Order 2011 SI No. 2237 and the NHS Commissioning Board Authority Regulations 2011 SI No. 2250, create the NHS Commissioning Board as a Special Health Authority and provide for its membership and procedures. Both come into force on 31st October 2011.

NHS Directions, the Pharmaceutical Services (Advanced and Enhanced Services) (England) Directions 2011 come into force on the 1st October 2011. They include provisions for the New Medicines Service (NMS) and modified provisions for Medication Use Reviews (MURs) to be targeted at specific groups of patients.

Coming into force on 1st October 2011, new NHS (Pharmaceutical Services) Amendment regulations 2011 SI no. 2136 add new definitions of “advanced services” and “registered pharmacy technician” both reflecting current practice; also add further obligations to reach an acceptable system of clinical governance. The regulations apply to England only.