Market Entry
Published on: 20th May 2024 | Updated on: 11th July 2025
Market Entry Update:
23rd June 2025:
DSP market entry exemption closed
Amendment regulations made changes to the NHS (Pharmaceutical and Local Pharmaceutical Services) Regulations 2013 (the PLPS regulations) as agreed in the recent 2024/25 and 2025/26 negotiations between the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), NHS England (NHSE), and Community Pharmacy England.
One of the changes relates to the DSP market entry exemption and from 23 June 2025, no new applications for DSP pharmacies can be accepted/are permitted under the PLPS regulations. Similar to the previous 100-hour pharmacy exemption, the DSP route to establish a new pharmacy will now be closed.
DSP pharmacies already on a pharmaceutical list will continue to be on the list and be able to continue to deliver pharmaceutical services in accordance with their Terms of Service in the PLPS regulations (which are also changing – see below). DSP pharmacy owners will continue to be able to apply to relocate or change the ownership of the pharmacy.
Further information about this and other regulatory changes can be found in this Briefing 013.25 Regulatory Changes in June 2025 – DSPs, Opening Hours, etc.
6th September 2024:
Market Entry Applications Regulation Changes – comes into effect 1 October 2024
Regulations have been laid which come into effect from 1 October 2024 to ease the market entry application process.
Applications to open new pharmacies usually involve two parallel, related applications, the market entry application, for example, to establish a new NHS pharmacy, and a related fitness information application, to ensure that the new owner of the pharmacy (corporate or individual/partnership of pharmacist(s)) is a fit and proper person to own an NHS pharmacy. In many cases, fitness information is required from existing contractors.
The requirement for references (from referees nominated by the applicant) will no longer be required. References were considered to be of limited value and obtaining them often resulted in delays to the whole application process. This change should make this part of the process less onerous for applicants and help to reduce delays with market entry applications.
NHSE has determined that the same principles apply to notifications of changes of director and/or superintendent.
These changes apply to new and existing applications. However, with an existing application, if the ICB has relevant information that suggests a reference should be sought, it may do so.
Market Entry Applications
More information about delays with applications
Briefing – guidance for applicants – to seek to avoid delays
For more information on this topic please email comms.team@cpe.org.uk
