§ Mr. RosindellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans he has to consult local pharmacists regarding the proposed deregulation of pharmacists; [97703]
(2) what recent discussions he has had with representative bodies of local pharmacies regarding the deregulation of pharmacies; [97702]
(3) if he will make a statement on his plans for deregulation of local pharmacies. [97701]
§ Mr. LammyWe are considering the report from the Director General of Fair Trading and its findings and recommendation carefully.
We have invited views on the report and I have met representatives and officers of the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee, the National Pharmaceutical Association and the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies to hear their preliminary views as well as the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain and many of the larger pharmacy contractors. The views of these and other interested parties will help inform the Government response which my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, is co-ordinating.