The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 269 No 7218 p469
5 October 2002

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Minister agrees pharmacists are not shopkeepers

Pharmacists are clinicians, not shopkeepers, according to Alan Milburn, Secretary of State for Health.

Speaking at a fringe meeting at the Labour Party conference, Mr Milburn acknowledged that pharmacists are frequently the first port of call for patients, who would often see a pharmacist before going to see a general practitioner. The Health Secretary said that he was keen to use pharmacists' skills more fully.

The meeting was organised by the Social Market Foundation and supported by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, the National Pharmaceutical Association, the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee and the Company Chemists Association. The conference exhibition included a pharmacy stand hosted by the four pharmacy bodies.

Last week pharmacy was represented at a fringe meeting at the Liberal Democrat conference in Bournemouth, but will not have a presence at the Conservative conference.