HC Deb 29 March 1984 vol 57 c279W
Mr. Nicholls

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will break down the figures for the total number of pharmacists (a) in the United Kingdom and

1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982
(a) Pharmacies in Great Britain
Health centre pharmacies 29 42 52 61 69 84
Multiple chemists with five or more branches nationally 2,465 2,464 2,455 2,366 2,657 2,649
All other chemists 7,961 7,824 7,753 7,797 7,532 7,622
Total in Great Britain 10,455 10,330 10,260 10,224 10,258 10,355
(b) Pharmacies in Devon
Health centre pharmacies * 1 1 1 1 1
Multiple chemists with five or more branches nationally * 62 55 60 61 59
All other chemists * 147 147 147 142 142
Total in Devon 217 210 203 208 204 202
* Breakdown not available.

Mr. Nicholls

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate the total number of retail pharmacists in the county of Devon in the years 1977 to date.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

Numbers of retail pharmacies in contract with Devon family practitioner committee for the provision of National Health Service dispensing were:

Numbers
1977 217
1978 210
1979 203
1980 208
1981 204
1982 202