Health Bill

I think that we are doing something here about future proofing, but I shall try to respond to the noble Baroness, Lady Barker. One example might be where a need arises to provide a limited pharmacy service, such as the sale of over-the-counter medicines, to a large number of people attending a festival or an event. Such a temporary set of arrangements could be provided for under these provisions. I emphasise again that we are not in any way trying to breach the principle of the norm of one responsible pharmacist/one pharmacy. We are saying that there could be situations—and I have given the example of the vending machine, which I shall not repeat, and another example—where we know circumstances can change and it is important to have some flexibility, while operating within the tightly defined sets of circumstances set out in regulations. The regulations would enable people to authorise the exception to the norm of one responsible pharmacist/one pharmacy only where a good case was made and patient safety was protected in allowing a special dispensation.