Original pack dispensing (OPD)
Published: 2 January 2025
This was published when the organisation was the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.
From 1 January 2025, NHS community pharmacists and their teams can dispense up to 10% more or less than the quantity prescribed of eligible medicines on NHS prescriptions if it means the medicine can be dispensed in the manufacturer’s original packaging and if they follow the prescriber’s directions on the prescription.
The regulations on what types of prescriptions can be dispensed or reimbursed differ between England, Scotland and Wales. Please read our guidance or check Community Pharmacy England, Community Pharmacy Scotland and Community Pharmacy Wales for more information on what the new rules apply to.
Our guidance covers the changes, what the rules apply to, steps to use professional judgment and additional considerations.
Sections on this page
- What has changed
- What the OPD +/- 10% rule applies to
- When to use the OPD +/- 10% rule
- Four steps to safely use OPD with professional judgement
- Considerations for the OPD +/- 10% rule
- Other considerations to support implementation
- Further information