FEAR OF 6,000 PHARMACY CLOSURES

12.00.00am GMT Thu 6th Mar 2003

Responding to figures released today by the New Economic Foundation, predicting the closure of over 6,000 community pharmacies if plans put forward by the Office of Fair Trading to liberalise the pharmacy sector go ahead.

Brian Cotter MP, the Liberal Democrat Small Business Spokesman commented, "This report shows that the fears small pharmacies have over deregulation are well founded."

"Local pharmacies are vital healthcare partners in the community. They are selling medicines not meat pies. A good pharmacist has extensive knowledge and expertise and can alleviate the workload of local GPs.

"Support for the principle of deregulation, should not come at the detriment to healthcare provision."

"Supermarket pharmacies could be a poor replacement for local chemists, especially for the elderly and the infirm who may have difficulty accessing them.

"The Government must listen very carefully to both pharmacists and consumers, before responding to the OFT's recommendations."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

· The Office of Fair Trading published the report on the liberalisation of the pharmacy market on 17 January 2003.

· The Government has committed to publishing a response to the report within 90 days of its publication.

· Brian Cotter MP co-sponsored EDM no 602 tabled on 28 January 2003, entitled Community Services, which has received 54 signatures and states the following:

That this House commends the dedication of community pharmacists and sub-post office owners in providing essential services to local communities; notes that both these services are under threat by recommendations made by the Office of Fair Trading, and by a programme of sub-post office closures based on early retirements rather than a strategic plan; further notes that some community pharmacies are already offering post office counter services; believes that this is the best way forward in ensuring that rural and deprived urban communities have access to both pharmacy and post office services; and calls on the Government to encourage this practice, and to take steps to ensure that no community will be left without either a pharmacy or a post office.