§ Mr. Knoxasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether following his Department's recent meeting with the pharmaceutical services negotiating committee, he will make a statement about the latest position on pharmacists' contracts.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeI refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Members for Wolverhampton, North-East (Mrs. Short), and Crewe and Nantwich (Mrs. Dunwoody) on 1 December. —[Vol. 49, c.613–14.]
I confirm that, for legal reasons, the Department has for the time being suspended the collection of the higher discounts previously agreed and we are taking steps to repay as quickly as possible the additional amounts already collected. We are now considering what further action to take to reimburse pharmacists fairly for the cost of drugs dispensed and to protect public funds.