pharmacies: facing high street ruin
WORKERS, MAY 2003 ISSUE
The government has just introduced legislation that will mean pharmacists will prescribe, not just sell medicines, in the next few years. This is said to be part of the government's modernisation drive, but many pharmacists are concerned that they might not be around to deliver that service.
The government announced at the end of March that it would respond to the Office of Fair Trading's study on retail pharmacies before the summer recess and publish a progress report at the end of June. Government statements have focused on better access, in particular outside normal hours, to community pharmacists, who are trained clinicians, able to give advice, information and services.
The OFT study argued for abolition of entry controls for opening pharmacies on the grounds that there would be benefits for consumers in terms of reduced prices, improved quality of services and better access if more were established, for example in supermarkets. But abolishing controlled entry will mean many of the high street chemists will go out of business in the face of increased competition, and many communities could see their local pharmacy close. This is a particular issue in rural and poorer areas, where access would worsen.
Government could lower costs for consumers by funding the clinical role of pharmacists properly, thus reducing their reliance on sales of more expensive medicines. Supermarket undercutting has been of cost benefit to customers but is part of the problem facing chemists, who cannot compete on price.