Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what proportion of pharmacies are equipped with scanning machines that register the unique identifier required on the packaging of certain medicinal products by the Falsified Medicines Directive in each region of England.

The Department has not made an assessment of the proportion of pharmacies equipped with scanning machines. NHS Digital has published guidance to support pharmacies in understanding the minimal technology specifications for scanners to be used for the Falsified Medicines Directive. There are a wide range of options for scanning equipment, including the use of a smart phone.