PHARMACEUTICAL PURCHASING IN SCOTLAND

Early day motion 612, tabled 11 January 2007 by Jim McGovern (Labour). Signed by 23 members.

That this House shares with the Scottish Pharmaceutical General Council (SPGC) a concern that the discount regime offered by Pfizer UK to Scottish pharmacists will be smaller than the rate currently offered by pharmaceutical wholesalers; is further concerned that due to the different pharmaceutical purchasing regimes in the UK, the deal Pfizer negotiated with Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee may be suitable for England and Wales but is not suitable for Scotland; believes that unless the discount regime is considered the cost of discrepancy will have to be met by either the Scottish Executive or local pharmacies, neither of which are acceptable solutions; and calls on Pfizer to enter urgent talks with the SPGC to ensure that their new deal does not end up endangering the many small, local and community pharmacists that operate in Scotland.

Signatures by party: Labour 17, Conservative 2, Liberal Democrat 2, Scottish National Party 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.