Date: 11 February 2010 BROCKLEBANK GETS ASSURANCES FROM MINISTER ON PHARMACY ISSUE Mid Scotland and Fife Conservative MSP, Ted Brocklebank, has welcomed the Cabinet Secretary's response at Ministerial Questions that she hopes to receive input from local people on a review into the siting of pharmacies when the Government publishes its consultation document. Mr Brocklebank is urging residents in Balmullo and Leuchars to make their views known to the Government.
Questioning the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Well Being, Mr Brocklebank said,
'The Cabinet Secretary may recall that last September I asked her about dispensing GPs in Balmullo and Leuchars. Can she tell me from her meetings with NHS Fife whether she was made aware that permission to open a pharmacy in Leuchars was granted very much against the wishes of locals who supported their dispensing GPs?
'Is she aware the situation was complicated by a further application to open a pharmacy in neighbouring Balmullo, this time with the support of local residents. Can I ask the Cabinet Secretary what progress and discussions have taken place in the review as to which pharmacies might be added to the pharmaceutical list and whether Scottish patients are to have a greater say in how new pharmacies are established?'
Speaking afterwards, Mr Brocklebank added,
'While the Cabinet Secretary reiterated her point that it is not for Scottish Ministers to intervene on the siting of pharmacies within local health boards, I was reassured to hear that the Government continues to consult widely on that policy and that it welcomes the input from local people. I would urge residents in Balmullo and Leuchars to take part in that process and make their views known as to what pharmaceutical services they want for their communities.' | 
