Community pharmacies - disappointing response

Our community pharmacies are under threat - as I explained in this column several weeks ago.

A recent report recommended a deregulated free-for-all in the sector, with the danger that many local pharmacies could shut. Large out-of-town supermarkets want to enter the market, and would drive many local chemists out of business, damaging an essential frontline of our health service.

So I have been campaigning with others to press the Government to reject these ideas.

A Ministerial response has long been expected - and it came on the last day before the Parliamentary recess, thereby avoiding any public questioning before the Autumn!

And, guess what? Their response is extremely disappointing.

The bad news is dressed up in weasel words: "the Government does not believe that this is the time to move to a fully deregulated system".

This is "Yes, Minister" language for "we intend to go ahead with our proposals, but only when the heat dies down". Elsewhere in the Government policy statement they say they will "move cautiously in the direction recommended".

Given they also plan to exempt larger shopping developments from the regulations faced by smaller community pharmacists, I think we get the picture.

This is at best a reprieve for local pharmacists - at worst, the start of a slow death. Ministers better enjoy their summer: they'll be getting a rough ride when Parliament returns.