§ Mr. StunellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received from pharmacists on the global sum dispensing fee(a) on his original announcement of fee levels for 2002–03 and (b) consequent upon its revision; and if he will make a statement. [42944]
§ Ms BlearsI have not yet determined the overall level of fees for community pharmacy services for 2002–03. However, pending my decision, the basic dispensing fee from April 2002 will rise from the current level of 91.6p to 94.6p per prescription item.
I agreed in February that officials should work with the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) to explore ways of improving information about community pharmacy finances as part of a set of measures to inform our discussions on remuneration and on modernising the current NHS contractual framework. This work is under way.