§ Mr. Anthony Grantasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in the light of evidence provided by the hon. Member for Harrow, Central about the problems caused in Harrow by the closing of chemists' shops on Sundays, she will take steps to ensure that remuneration for making up prescriptions is adequate to enable chemists to provide a proper emergency service; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. MeacherI do not accept that the remuneration agreed with the representatives of the NHS chemist-contractors is insufficient to ensure an adequate dispensing service out of normal hours.
A pharmacy was open between 12 noon and 1 p.m. in Station Road, North Harrow, on Sunday 15th February on "rota" duty. Pharmacists living on or near their premises are usually willing to dispense at any time prescriptions marked "Urgent" by a doctor and doctors are required to supply medicaments needed for immediate treatment before a supply can be obtained otherwise.