Introduction

As of 1st October 2025, new regulations came onto force within England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to permit "Hub and Spoke" dispensing.

Hub and spoke dispensing is where one pharmacy entity (a “spoke”) takes in an order for the sale or supply of a medicine and arranges for another pharmacy entity (a “hub”) to assemble or part-assemble the medicine that has been ordered. The hub is responsible for labelling the assembled medication. The hub must then supply the medicine back to the spoke for the spoke who supplies it to the patient. The pharmacist working at the spoke pharmacy is responsible for clinical safety checks and supply to the patient.

The regulations DO NOT permit the dispensing of Schedule 2 & 3 Controlled Drugs by a pharmacy hub.

The spoke pharmacy is responsible for financial transactions for the prescription, e.g. prescription charges or fee exemptions. Financial arrangements between hub and spoke pharmacy entities for services and medications provided are private commercial arrangements between the two parties.