Pharmacies: Funding

Debate between Lord Prior of Brampton and Lord Cameron of Dillington

Wednesday 2nd March 2016 Lords Chamber

[Lord Prior of Brampton]

My Lords, it is important that we recognise the fundamental changes happening in the market that community pharmacies operate in. With the growth of online ordering of prescriptions, the large-scale automation of dispensing and the integration of health services within which community pharmacies are absolutely vital, the industry will have to change.

[Lord Cameron of Dillington (CB)]

My Lords, have the Government rural-proofed this policy? Has detailed thinking gone into how people without transport in remote rural communities can access pharmacies for their local, possibly life-saving medicines? I am sure that there are solutions to be had in IT and so on, but has that thinking and even understanding gone into the process?