§ John MannTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many pharmacies dispense methadone to drug addicts; and how many of these are independent pharmacies. [104442]
§ Mr. LammyPharmacies which are included on the pharmaceutical lists of primary care trusts are required by their terms of service to dispense any medicines which are prescribed on a national health service prescription form. That includes dispensing methadone to drug addicts. At 31 March 2002 there were 9,756 such pharmacies, of which 4,666 were neither in health centres nor in chains of more than five pharmacies.
§ John MannTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of additional costs in terms of general practitioner practice time arising from the report by the Office of Fair Trading on pharmacies. [104445]
§ Mr. LammyWe are committed to expanding the role and services community pharmacists offer through, for example, closer working with other primary healthcare78W professionals including general practitioners. We are carefully considering the impact the Office of Fair Trading's recommendation would have on these objectives and other healthcare professionals in order to inform the Government's response.