AXE STILL HANGS OVER PHARMACIES AS HEWITT DELAYS UNTIL THE SUMMER

11.56.00am GMT Wed 26th Mar 2003

Brian Cotter MP, the Liberal Democrat Spokesman on Small Business has described the statement from the Government today on the Office of Fair Trading report to deregulate the pharmacy sector as nothing more than a fudge.

Mr. Cotter said: "The Government's decision not to issue its proposals on the pharmacy sector until the summer means that thousands of local pharmacies have been left with the axe hanging over their heads."

"Patricia Hewitt has signaled she was unlikely to accept the recommendations of the OFT, which could threaten the future of 6,000 pharmacies, but it seems all options are still on the table."

"The Scottish Executive have taken decisive action and thrown out the OFT report; the UK Government should show clear support for community pharmacies and act to safeguard community medicine and not undermine it."

"ENDS"

"Notes to Editors"

"Brian Cotter is responding to a statement given by Patricia Hewitt in the form of a Parliamentary Question, HC Deb, 26 March 2003, 222W"

"New Economic Foundation, released figures on 5 March 2003 predicting the closure of over 6,000 community pharmacies if the OFT recommendations were implemented.