CONSULTATIONS

Pharmacy in England: building on strengths - delivering the future - Draft regulations under the Health Act 2009: pharmaceutical needs assessments. Consultation document (1st December 2009)
Following consultation in Autumn 2008, two clauses were introduced in the Health Bill 2009 (now the Health Act 2009).

• to require Primary Care Trusts to develop and publish pharmaceutical needs assessments (PNAs); and
• then to use PNAs as the basis for determining market entry to NHS pharmaceutical services provision

In July 2009, a regulatory Advisory Group drawn from interested parties was set up, chaired by Paul Burns. The first set of draft regulations regarding PNAs have now been prepared by the Department of Health with assistance from the Group and are available for consultation.

Closing date for comments is 28th February 2010.
Consultation

A Consultation on proposals for the Innovation Pass pilot (28th November 2009)
In July the Office for Life Sciences (OLS) published the ‘Life Sciences Blueprint’ which announced a package of measures to help maintain a competitive life science sector. One of the initiatives announced in the blueprint was the introduction of an ‘Innovation Pass’.

This consultation seeks views from the NHS, industry and other stakeholders on the Government’s proposals for an Innovation Pass pilot. These proposals will be revised in light of comments received as part of this consultation and will be used to inform the first set of decisions for the pilot in 2010/1

Closing date for comments is 8th February 2010.
Consultation

Personal care at home: a consultation on proposals for regulations and guidance (25th November 2009)
A consultation document containing proposals for regulations and guidance made under the Personal Care At Home Bill has been published today. An impact assessment accompanying the consultation is also available. An easy read version will be available soon.

Although closing date for comments is 23rd February 2010, the Department of Health would like, if possible, comments to reach them by 26th January 2010.
Consultation

Provision of calorie labelling at point of choice in catering outlets (3rd December 2009)
The Food Standards Agency is seeking views on how a voluntary scheme to display calorie information on menus would work best in practice.

A calorie labelling scheme would help people make healthier choices when they are eating out, by letting them see the number of calories in the food and drink they order – whether they are in restaurants, coffee and sandwich shops, pubs, leisure attractions or staff restaurants.

Closing date for comments is 11th March 2010.
Press Release
Consultation