§ Mr. Patrick Jenkinasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what savings she estimates would accrue if distribution of baby food, including baby milks, were undertaken through community pharmacies.
§ Mr. MeacherProprietary baby foods are already sold by community pharmacies. I regret that information is not available to me on which to estimate whether or not savings would accrue if welfare foods now available at maternity and child health clinics and distribution centres were distributed through community pharmacies.
§ Mr. Patrick Jenkinasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations she has had from bodies representing pharmacists about her proposal that all maternity and child health clinics in Great Britain should sell proprietary modified baby milks.
§ Mr. MeacherRepresentatives of retail pharmacists—the Pharmaceutical Society18W of Great Britain, National Pharmaceutical Union, Company Chemists Association, Co-operative Pharmaceutical Technical Panel and the Pharmaceutical General Council (Scotland)—have suggested that retail pharmacies are the proper place for distribution of infant foods. My right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Wales and I are considering these representations and will be in touch with representatives of retail pharmacists about them.