Islanders be “given a voice” in pharmacy applications 2/6/14
Rural communities are to be given a voice over bids to open chemists shops which could impact on GP dispensaries.
It follows controversy when Mohammed Khalil Jamil of Glasgow, applied to open a pharmacy
in Benbecula. Patients faced losing an one-
Instead, they faced two journeys over a long distance -
In addition, the loss of the extra payments used to subsidise services would lead to a loss of doctors plus redundancies amongst dispensing staff risking the long term sustainability of the practices.
The Scottish Government is now taking in tougher provisions to make the pharmacy application process more transparent to local communities and give them a stronger voice.
The changes will improve arrangements for public consultation and community engagement in the wider pharmacy application process, as well as introducing statutory timeframes for health boards to reach decisions.
NHS boards will also be required to apply new tests when considering pharmacy applications in designated and clearly identified rural or remote areas.
They will be given powers to refuse a pharmacy application if they would adversely impact on the security and sustainable provision of existing NHS primary medical and pharmaceutical services in the area concerned.
Health Secretary Alex Neil said: “By introducing these safeguards, this government is supporting local communities and ensuring that there is a mechanism for their voice to be heard if there are strong concerns about pharmacy applications in their area.”
Proposed changes to the regulations have been supported by both the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Scotland and the Royal College of General Practitioners, Scotland.