COMMUNITY PHARMACIES AND THE OFT REPORT

Early day motion 979, tabled 27 March 2003 by Lord McCabe (Labour). Signed by 108 members.

That this House is concerned that there is a conflict of policy between the Office of Fair Trading, which is proposing to deregulate pharmaceutical prescriptions, allow such sales in supermarkets and thus destabilise local pharmacies with an estimated closure of small businesses of 50 per cent, and the Department of Health which is proposing a greater role for local pharmacies in local health care support; and urges the two departments to work more closely together, and to recognise pharmacists as health professionals and part of the structure of primary care which exists within the health sector.

Signatures by party: Labour 76, Liberal Democrat 17, Labour/Co-operative 6, Conservative 4, Plaid Cymru 3, UUP 2.