§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the current supply of graduate pharmacists; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what is the impact of hospital pharmacists' remuneration on the supply of pharmacists to hospitals; if there have been any net losses to hospitals of pharmacists citing pay levels as the reason; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HayhoeThere is no evidence of a failure of supply in National Health Service community pharmacy. An assessment of future demand will be made in the light of discussions on the report of the Nuffield Foundation's inquiry into pharmacy and on the discussion document on primary health care published on 21 April.
I am aware that there have been difficulties in recruiting basic grade hospital pharmacists. I understand that the management side of the pharmaceutical Whitley council has made a substantial pay offer to the staff side, designed, in part, to ameliorate this problem.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he plans to make any changes in his policy regarding hospital pharmacists in the light of the Nuffield Foundation pharmacy inquiry report, a copy of which has been sent to him; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HayhoeThe report has been received and the implications of the detailed recommendations it contains are being considered. I understand that the pharmaceutical Whitley council is currently negotiating on certain of the pay and career structure matters mentioned in the report.