§ Mr. Roseasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will increase the profit margins for prescriptions in the case of small pharmacies serving residential areas which would otherwise be without pharmacy facilities, in the light of the increasing number of 675W closures of such pharmacies providing a necessary service and amenity.
§ Mr. MoyleSmall pharmacies generally are already receiving additional remuneration as a consequence of the differential system of payment introduced on 1st January last. In addition, any small pharmacy sited 2½ kilometres or more from the next pharmacy is eligible, if its non-National Health Service turnover does not exceed a specified limit, for financial assistance under the essential small pharmacies scheme.