6. Conclusion
56. Much of
our evidence has suggested that the current system of control
of entry regulations is overly inflexible and in need of reform.
During this rapid inquiry, we have not been able to explore all
possible options for future regulation, planning, and delivery
of pharmacy services. However, it has become clear to us that
the recommendations of the OFT report have the potential to make
certain pharmacies unviable, potentially leaving some of the most
vulnerable communities, who have the greatest health needs and
are least able to travel long distances, without any local pharmacy
provision, a situation which would be unacceptable.
57. We are not
convinced by the economic and competition arguments relied upon
by the OFT to support its recommendation, and while we would welcome
measures that encouraged pharmacies to provide a higher quality
service to patients, we feel that in order to deliver the best
possible service to NHS patients, Primary Care Trusts must retain
the ability to plan the provision of local pharmacy services,
which play an integral part in the delivery of health care to
local communities. Deregulation which allows the market to decide
where to provide any dispensing of NHS prescriptions would necessarily
reduce the finances available for PCTs to plan the remaining NHS
dispensing. We would not, therefore, support such deregulation.
Any reforms to the regulatory framework for the provision of pharmacy
services should be in close concert with the negotiations for
a new payment system for pharmacies currently being carried out
by the Department, and must fully take account of the wider role
of pharmacies within the 'bigger picture' of the NHS and of this
country's health needs, something we feel the OFT report has singularly
failed to do.
|
