§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many community pharmacies there are; and if he will make a statement on his policy on community pharmacies; [26693]
(2) what plans he has to protect the community pharmacies following the growth of out of town shopping centres. [26696]
§ Mr. Win GriffithsThere were 714 community pharmacies in Wales as at 31 March 1997, the latest date for which information is available.
Health Authorities have a legal responsibility to ensure the provision of adequate and accessible pharmaceutical services. In recognition of this, applications for inclusion in the pharmaceutical list must comply with the NHS (Pharmaceutical Services) Regulations 1992 (as amended) which take into account the existing provision of pharmaceutical services within a neighbourhood.