§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services to what extent pharmacists were represented in the negotiations which he has had with the pharmaceutical services negotiating committee about the future of high street chemists.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeSuccessive Governments and the pharmacist profession have for many years recognised the pharmaceutical services negotiating committee as the body representative of all pharmacies in contract with the National Health Service.
The committee's constitution provides for 25 registered pharmacists engaged in part II pharmaceutical services made up as follows:
- Fourteen chemist contractors elected from each NHS region in England.
- One chemist contractor elected from Wales.
- Five chemist contractors nominated by the board of management of the National Pharmaceutical Association.
- Four registered pharmacists nominated by the Company Chemists Association.
- One registered pharmacist nominated by the Co-operative Wholesale Society.
- The negotiations were therefore conducted with the representatives of all pharmacy contractors both large and small.