PHARMACY DECISION A "CONSIDERABLE BLOW TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY" - SMITH & CAMPBELL

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 21st Aug 2009

Commenting on the news that the NHS Pharmacy Practices Committee has granted approval for a dispensing pharmacy in the Leuchars Post Office local MSP Iain Smith and MP Sir Menzies Campbell said:

"This decision is very disappointing indeed. It is very surprising that an almost identical application to the one so recently rejected has been deemed as acceptable.

"It appears that after the original application was refused the new applicants, who happen to be registered at the same address, have learned what they need to say in order to gain approval.

"The decision will come as a considerable blow to the local community in Balmullo since the future of the doctors surgery may now hang in the balance. There will be great disappointment in the community who were so vigorous and successful in their initial campaign.

"We have both made the case to the Scottish Government that there should be a moratorium on reapplications and this is now to be considered in the forthcoming review of NHS pharmaceutical regulations. It is a pity that something of this kind was not already in place."