Changes to community pharmacists rotas were agreed by the Primary Care Trust Board today.  The changes – which relate to the dispensing of urgent prescriptions outside normal shop hours – have been introduced to ensure there is a consistent system in place across the Island. 

The new system will ensure that a pharmacist is in reasonable reach of doctors surgeries until 6.30 p.m on weekday evenings throughout the year.  Regular Sunday rotas will cease from early April and people needing a prescription to be dispensed on a Sunday will be able to obtain this service from either Boots in Newport or Tesco’s in Ryde.  On Bank Holidays when these shops are not open, there will be a pharmacy open for dispensing for 2 hours in four areas of the Island.

This service is provided for those people who have been given a prescription from their doctor and advised to start taking the medication before the next day, or before a pharmacy is normally open.

Full details of pharmacies opening hours will be available as normal through the County Press, pharmacies and in all doctors surgeries.