Health Bill

I have added my name in support of Amendment No. 77 in this group. I am concerned about the potential financial incentives that there might be in areas of deprivation. The noble Baroness, Lady Barker, has outlined the difficulties that there can be in recruiting pharmacist locums, and small pharmacists in areas of deprivation may be the most frequently consulted healthcare professional, particularly in areas such as mine in east London, where we still do not have adequate primary care that is easily available for consultation. I am also concerned about the potential for a pharmacist to be responsible for supervising two or three pharmacies at a distance with inadequate locum cover. It is often difficult and expensive for pharmacists to recruit, but right now it is essential that they do so to provide cover. I want the regulations to make it clear that it will be the norm for a responsible pharmacist to be in place to supervise medicines and to give advice. The amendment is about the details of the regulations and how they can ensure that there will be no abuse of the new system.