§ Lord Holme of Cheltenhamasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the DHSS (Northern Ireland) or the Eastern Health and Social Services Board have any criteria as to whether a population centre is entitled to, or prevented from, having a pharmacy located within its environs.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Office (Baroness Denton of Wakefield)It is for any independent businessman to assess the need for a pharmacy in a neighbourhood and to make application to the appropriate health and social services board for entry on to the Pharmaceutical List. The sole criterion, laid down in regulations, for entry on to that list is whether the opening of a new pharmacy is necessary or desirable to secure the adequate provision of pharmaceutical services in a particular neighbourhood.