COMMUNITY PHARMACIES MUST BE PROTECTED - COTTER

9.29.48pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 17th Jun 2003

Responding to the recent report of the Health Select Committee into the deregulation of the pharmacy sector, Brian Cotter MP, the Liberal Democrat Small Business Spokesman commented,

"The Committee's conclusions support what community pharmacists have been saying all along - deregulation is simply not a viable option. "

" The Government must confirm once and for all that it will not accept the OFT's recommendations. The evidence is there, and it shows definitively that deregulation is of no benefit to anyone - the customer, the community pharmacist or the NHS."

"Healthcare provision must not be allowed to suffer at the hands of competition.

"Over half of those who use community pharmacies to get their prescriptions are aged 65 and over, and rely on local services because of their limited mobility."

"Sandra Gidley MP, Liberal Democrat Health spokesperson, and member of the Health Select Committee, said:"

"This whole issue boils down to access. Pharmacists are frontline healthcare professionals who provide invaluable help, information and support. This level of expertise must be maintained in each community.

"At a time when the Government is paying lip service to promoting the skills of pharmacists, the DTI must reject the OFT's recommendations. "

"ENDS"

"Notes to Editors"

"The Patients Association stated in the March 2003 edition of their magazine 'Patient Voice' that over half of those who use community pharmacies are aged 65 and over.