SAVING LOCAL PHARMACIES

Early day motion 1616, tabled 8 September 2004 by Lord Cotter (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 56 members.

That this House expresses concern at the Government's decision to reform the NHS (Pharmaceutical Services) Regulations 1992 and condemns the decision to make this announcement over the summer, thereby denying Parliament the opportunity to scrutinise the proposals; recognises fears expressed by the National Pharmaceutical Association that rather than assisting consumers, new entry exemptions for large shopping developments and pharmacies opening for more than 100 hours a week could harm their interests by putting small local pharmacies out of business; further notes that Ministers have failed to consider these changes in light of the current shortage of pharmacists, who will be vulnerable to aggressive recruitment tactics by supermarkets and large shopping centres, thus putting further pressure on community pharmacies; acknowledges that these proposals represent the first step towards a full deregulation of the market and are incompatible with Government plans to enhance the role of community pharmacies, as outlined in the consultation paper, A Vision for Pharmacy in the New NHS; and therefore calls upon Ministers to urgently review the impact that these proposals will have on community pharmacies.

Signatures by party: Labour 23, Liberal Democrat 23, Conservative 3, Labour/Co-operative 3, Plaid Cymru 2, DUP 1, UUP 1.