NHS (PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES) REGULATIONS 2005

That this House deplores the fact that the Government's changes to the 2005 Regulations on NHS Pharmaceutical Services allow supermarkets to squeeze small pharmacies out of the market; is concerned at the adverse impact the recent planning application made by Tesco's, in Princes Road, Chelmsford, will have, if granted, on the smaller pharmacies in Gloucester Avenue, Wood Street, Writtle Road and Moulsham Street, Chelmsford; considers it disgraceful that the decision-making process vested in the primary care trusts (PCTs) does not allow them to consider the wishes of customers in determining a 100-hour application; and calls on the Government to revise the current rules so that pharmacy applications can be judged by local PCTs solely on whether they are considered to be necessary and desirable.