Sanders to Tackle Government on Threat to Pharmacies

Torbay MP Adrian Sanders is to raise with Ministers the dire financial situation affecting many community pharmacists.  Adrian has secured a debate in Parliament on Wednesday 14^th January at 4pm.

A number of community pharmacists have contacted Mr Sanders to raise concerns over the way they are reimbursed by the Government for prescription medication costs.  The current system lacks clarity and transparency, with the Government clawing back up to £30,000 from individual pharmacies at short notice due to the imperfections of the formula.

The Department of Health also takes up to three months to reimburse pharmacies for the cost of drugs dispensed.

Adrian will be advocating a much simpler reimbursement system that allows pharmacies to adequately plan their finances and prevent bankruptcies. 

Adrian commented: “The Government is showing a complete lack of understanding of the workings of community pharmacies.  As it stands now, the system leaves many in a state of financial insecurity and if the Government doesn’t act now we could see the threat of closure to yet another vital community resource.”