The Appeal Unit handles appeals against decisions by Primary Care Trusts under the NHS (Pharmaceutical Services) Regulations 1992 and the NHS (Pharmaceutical Services) Regulations 2005. These Regulations control pharmaceutical services in a particular area, by requiring the PCT to consider local needs for these services before permitting a new pharmacy to open or to consider whether statutory criteria are met before allowing an existing pharmacy to move premises. The Regulations also control how, in rural areas, GPs may be permitted to dispense prescriptions themselves.

On 1 April 2005, the 2005 Regulations replaced the 1992 Regulations. However, the Appeal Unit still continues to hear appeals under the 1992 Regulations where the initial decision was made under these Regulations. Decision letters relating to cases under both the 

Pharmaceutical decisions relating to “control of entry” matters are made by the Appeal Unit’s Pharmacy Appeals Committee, which usually consists of three members with a lay majority. The Committee may either make a decision on the papers, or may appoint a Panel to hear representations and make recommendations back to the Committee. The Panel will usually have a legally qualified Chair with two “Wing” members, one professional and one lay person, although minor relocation appeals are mostly heard with a single person appointed.