§ Mr. Anthony Grantasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what investigation he is making into the method of payment of retail pharmacists, in view of the increasing number of closures of pharmacists; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EnnalsI am at present having urgent discussions about this with the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee.
§ Mr. Anthony Grantasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many pharmacies closed in 1976 compared with 1955; if he will express this figure as a percentage of the number of pharmacies in each case; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EnnalsIn 1955, according to the Pharmaceutical Society register, there were 11 net closures of pharmacies in Great Britain, a decline of 0.07 per cent. during that year. In 1976, the net number of pharmacies that closed was 215, a decline of 19 per cent. I am not aware that closures so far have caused widespread or serious difficulties for people wanting prescriptions dispensed, but I cannot be indifferent to a continuing decline, and this is one of the matters I am at present discussing with the Pharmaceutical Society Negotiating Committee.
§ Mr. Geoffrey Finsbergasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on his discussions with representatives of the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee on the subject of the current levels of NHS remuneration paid to chemist contractors.
§ Mr. EnnalsI met representatives of the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee on 16th June 1977 and we have agreed to hold a further meeting shortly.