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Frank McAveety, The Deputy Minister for Health, announced
on Wednesday 26 March that the Scottish Executive would not
be accepting the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) report on pharmacies.
His statement can be viewed by clicking
here.
On 17 January the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) launched its
report of an enquiry into the control of entry to NHS pharmaceutical
services. The recommendation made by the OFT was that NHS
control of entry arrangements should be abolished. This website
contains responses to the OFT report which have been received
by the SEHD. A full copy of the report can be found through
the OFT website www.oft.gov.uk.
Background
The OFT report covers the UK and has been
sent to Ministers in all four Health Departments and the Department
of Trade and Industry. Whilst consumer interest issues are
reserved and a matter for the UK Government, health is a devolved
issue and it will be for Scottish Ministers to decide finally
what action, if any, should be taken regarding the statutory
arrangements for controlling entry to NHS Pharmaceutical Lists
in Scotland. Any change to the current arrangements would
involve public consultation.
If you would like to submit comments, please
write to Ronnie Fraser at Primary Care Division, Directorate
of Service Policy and Planning, St Andrew's House, Regent
Road, Edinburgh EH1 3DG or e-mail to pharmacy.report@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
by 28 February. Please note that all comments received will
be made public on this Website unless you request that your
response should be classed confidential.
To view the responses to the consultation, click
here. |
