Stunell urges Government to safeguard local pharmacies

12.00.00am GMT Mon 24th Feb 2003

Local MP Andrew Stunell is backing calls in Parliament to block plans by the Office of Fair Trading to end the regulation of pharmacies and allow out-of-town supermarkets to open new pharmacies.

Mr Stunell said "Most of Stockport's 62 chemists are in small shopping centres. An influx of new chemists in out-of-town supermarkets might be great for those with cars but it'll be a nightmare for people who really need a reliable local chemist all year round. The real losers will be pensioners, mothers with young children and people with medical conditions and limited mobility."

Although the OFT Report says that the present system works well and that prices are not inflated, it still recommends that unrestricted competition should be allowed.

According to Mr Stunell, "This could sound the death nail for the local chemists, with supermarkets repeating what they've already done to local grocers and butchers, and are now trying to do to newsagents and post offices. "

"Mr Stunell added, "It's high time the Government got its act together. On the one hand they want to give pharmacies more of the responsibilities that GPs traditionally had and on the other hand they are nodding through measures that will surely put many local chemists out of business."

"ENDS"