Pharmacies (Hansard, 2 April 2003)

§ Mrs. Louise Ellman (Liverpool, Riverside)
I wish to present a petition on behalf of 195 of my constituents who recognise the value of local pharmacies to the community and who oppose the recent report from the Office of Fair Trading.
The petition Declares that the deregulation of pharmacies as set out in the recent Office of Fair Trading report, would threaten access for patients to adequate pharmacy services in their community and be detrimental to community pharmacy businesses everywhere, The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons rejects proposals that would allow the unrestricted opening of pharmacies able to dispense NHS prescriptions, preserves local pharmacies and safeguards their continued services to local communities. And the Petitioners remain, etc.

§ Pete Wishart (North Tayside)
It is my pleasure to present this petition on behalf of my constituents of Brechin and district in west Angus. This is another petition in support of local pharmacies that expresses grave concerns about what is recommended in the Office of Fair Trading report, which my constituents believe would especially threaten pharmacies in rural areas and in rural Scotland. It is worth noting that the Scottish Executive last week rejected the report and we hope that this House will respect the decision of the Scottish Parliament to go its own way on community pharmacies.
The petition states: To the House of Commons The Petition of the constituents of Brechin and district declares that they oppose the recommendation made in the OFT Report—The Control of Entry Regulations etc. 1040 The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons encourage the Government to rethink its decision regarding the recommendations of the OFT Report—The Control of Entry Regulations and Retail Pharmacy Services in the UK. And the Petitioners remain, etc.

§ Mr. David Lepper (Brighton, Pavilion)
I present a petition signed by 4,648 residents of the city of Brighton and Hove who are concerned about the implications for their community pharmacies of the Office of Fair Trading report.

The petition stales:

The Petition of the users of

Field's Pharmacy

Stallion's Pharmacy

Preston Park Pharmacy

Ross Chemists

O'Flinn's Pharmacy

Moss Pharmacy

Pharma Supply

And other concerned residents

Declares that the proposals of the Office of Fair Trading to allow unrestricted opening of pharmacies able to dispense N.H.S. prescriptions would result in a decline in the availability and quality of local health care currently provided from community pharmacies.
The Petitioners request that the House of Commons urges the Government to reject these proposals by the Office of Fair Trading and promote the N.H.S. pharmacy plan to encourage and support local community pharmacies.
To lie upon the Table.

§ Chris Grayling (Epsom and Ewell)
I think that the residents of Epsom and Ewell just about win the battle tonight. I have here more than 5,000 signatures, once again in support of community pharmacies. It is an indication of the strength of feeling in the country tonight that so many of the petitions before you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, and before the House deal with this extremely important subject. They do so because so many residents in all our constituencies are both aware of the importance of their community pharmacies and determined to ensure that the service that they provide is preserved for those who need them today and those who will need them in future.
The petition states: To the House of Commons The Petition of Pharmacists and their customers in the Epsom and Ewell area Declares that the Office of Fair Trading Report on pharmacies would threaten the future of their local services and urges the Government to reject the proposals that would allow unrestricted opening of pharmacies able to dispense NHS prescriptions, and to preserve local pharmacies and safeguard their continued services to local communities. And the Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons takes whatever action it can to block the proposals. And the Petitioners remain, etc. To lie upon the Table.