A single online pharmacy market-entry application form is set to save time later this year by replacing over 30 paper equivalents, Primary Care Support England (PCSE) have announced.

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Pharmacists currently need to fill out multiple paper applications for market entry, such as changes of ownership, consolidation, relocation and new pharmacies.

PCSE said this will enable more ‘right first time’ applications thanks to guidance that will ensure applicants complete only the fields that are relevant to them and do not submit incorrect information.

The newly-developed form will be accessible via PCSE Online and will be automatically checked for completeness before applications are submitted.

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NHS England will be able to access and update the application status directly, PCSE added.

The online form will include market entry, change of ownership, market exit and consolidations and opening hours changes.

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Currently in its internal testing phase by PCSE and NHS England, there will be further testing and a trial period for ‘early adopters’ before the national roll-out of the form later this year.