Torbay MP Adrian Sanders presented evidence to the Department of Health on behalf of UK pharmacists, pressing for the Government to help community pharmacies. The evidence includes pharmacies in financial trouble and those that are no longer able to offer the extended services they used to.
Since 2007, following the introduction of new rules on how the Government pays pharmacists, many of the smaller businesses have suffered from cash-flow problems and have had to cut staff and services. With the deepening recession, there are fears that vital community pharmacies may be forced to close.
Adrian raised the issue last month in a debate in the House of Commons, where the Health Minister Dawn Primarolo challenged Adrian to present evidence of the Government's effects on pharmacies. Adrian today presented that evidence, gathered through the Chemist and Druggist magazine.
Adrian said: "Pharmacies are a vital part of the Health Service and although we may not all use them regularly, we would soon notice if they weren't there. The way the Government has set up the financing for pharmacies leaves an uncertain future for many."
"Hopefully Ministers will sit up and take note of the deluge of examples of how their actions are crippling small pharmacists."
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