4. The smarter dispensary

9. The rural voice in the UK parliament

"It's the 'Golden hour' to engage with the new health secretary." That's the call to action from Suffolk Coastal MP and Chair of the Labour Rural Research Group [https://www.labourruralresearchgroup.com/] Jenny Riddell-Carpenter in the latest episode of the DDA Podcast. In this podcast, hear Riddell-Carpenter set out the implications of the change at the top of the Department of Health and Social Care, how rural GPs can be at the heart of Neighbourhood Health and why dispensing GPs are critical to that conversation.  Referenced in the podcast are:  LRRG inquiry: The Future of the Rural Economy [https://www.labourruralresearchgroup.com/about-3] LRRG report: Understanding Rural Britain [https://www.labourruralresearchgroup.com/_files/ugd/f4335d_3bc2037aa5ec47dfa29fb91939e46d00.pdf] LRRG report: Rural Poverty in Britain [https://www.labourruralresearchgroup.com/_files/ugd/f4335d_f782a9bf693d4b508c7f375b436c6b92.pdf] DDA Manifesto: Addressing the Disparities: A manifesto for change [https://www.dispensingdoctor.org/user_uploads/exec_comms/2026/dda_2026_local_elections_manifesto.pdf] RSN campaign: Rural Fair Funding: The Final Settlement for Local Government Finance (Feb 2026) [https://rsnonline.org.uk/page/rural-fair-funding]

8. The DDA 2026 Conference preview

The DDA Conference takes place on Weds 30 Sept and Thurs 1 October at the National Conference Centre in Birmingham.  In this conference preview podcast, DDA Chief Executive Matt Isom speaks about this year's innovations, including our new dispenser breakout sessions, and the many benefits conference offers to the whole dispensary team.  There's also a chance to test your own dispensing knowledge ahead of the one and only annual DDA conference prize quiz. Referenced in the podcast are the following: the DDA Conference booking portal [https://www.dispensingdoctor.org/conference/] DDA Quality in Practice Guidance 2025-28 [https://www.dispensingdoctor.org/resources/dispensary-management-zone/dda-members-resources/dda-quality-in-practice-dispensing-guides/] EMIS negotiations [https://www.dispensingdoctor.org/news/emis-postpones-dispensing-module-charge-as-pressure-mounts-on-nhse/] Parliamentary Briefing Paper: Addressing the disparities [https://www.dispensingdoctor.org/about-the-dda/dda-political-lobby-documents/] Welsh emergency dispensing [https://www.dispensingdoctor.org/news/dda-lobbies-for-improved-urgent-medication-provisions/] DDA Best Practice [https://www.facebook.com/groups/1746924278872176] Facebook group (DDA members only)

7. Your GPCs and their dispensing negotiations

In this episode, the DDA speaks to the three mainland Britain GPCs to find out more about their progress towards achieving a sustainable dispensing contract in Wales, Scotland and England.  DDA Communications Officer Ailsa Colquhoun spoke to:  * GPC Wales Deputy Chair Dr Ian Harris * Scottish GPC Deputy Chair Dr Al Miles (from 13m 08s) * GPC England Chair Dr Katie Bramall-Stainer (from 25m 40s) Referenced in the podcast are:  The Welsh Senedd Health and Social Care Committee Report [https://www.dispensingdoctor.org/news/dda-wins-senedd-report-approval-of-dispensing-gp-funding-overhaul/] The DDA 2026 Scottish Parliament and Welsh Senedd manifestos and supporting resources [https://www.dispensingdoctor.org/about-the-dda/dda-political-lobby-documents/]

6. Best Practice with the Drug Tariff

In this episode DDA Communications Officer Ailsa Colquhoun speaks with Philip Edwards, Head of Pharmaceutical Services and Principal Pharmacist, at NHS BSA Prescription Services on the subject of best practice with the Drug Tariff for England and Wales.  In this episode, you will find out where to find information on endorsing items and submitting payment claims, when to look out for changes to the Drug Tariff, and where to find other resources to help you to reduce reimbursement 'surprises'. There is also information on the new Category H.  There are references in the podcast to the following resources:  The Drug Tariff for England & Wales: Drug Tariff | NHSBSA [https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/pharmacies-gp-practices-and-appliance-contractors/drug-tariff]  NHS BSA newsletter: Hints & Tips [https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/pharmacies-gp-practices-and-appliance-contractors/gp-and-pharmacy-support-open-days-webinars-and-newsletters]   Concession Prices [https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/pharmacies-gp-practices-and-appliance-contractors/drug-tariff/drug-tariff-updates]  NHS dictionary of medicines and devices (dm+d)  [https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/pharmacies-gp-practices-and-appliance-contractors/nhs-dictionary-medicines-and-devices-dmd]

5. Electronic prescribing

In this episode, we take a look at the challenges facing dispensing practices as electronic prescribing (and dispensing) systems roll out across England and Wales (the Electronic Prescription Service [https://digital.nhs.uk/services/electronic-prescription-service]) and in Scotland (the Digital Prescribing and Dispensing Pathways programme [https://www.nss.nhs.scot/national-programmes/digital-prescribing-and-dispensing-pathways/about-the-digital-prescribing-and-dispensing-pathways-programme/]).  Hear the latest news on these systems from DDA Board Members:  Dr Mike Barstow (England) Dr Fiona Porter (Wales, from: 12.45s) Dr Hal Maxwell (Scotland, from: 23.30s)