§ Mr. PickthallTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures she is taking to protect from closure small pharmacies in rural and suburban areas which deal with many fewer than 2,000 prescriptions per month.
§ Dr. MawhinneyDiscussions are continuing with the pharmacists' representatives about how best to restructure fees to encourage better services for patients and improve value for money. In these discussions we have made it clear that we remain committed to ensuring that patients in rural and suburban areas continue to enjoy reasonable access to a local pharmacy.