The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 270 No 7252 p792
7 June 2003

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  SGM
  New Charter
  CD prescribing
  Asthma
  CFC-free inhaling
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  Pharmacy closures
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Letters to the Editor

Pharmacy closures

Has action against closures been taken?

From Mr M. E. Q. James, FRPharmS

There has been much discussion recently, both in your columns and elsewhere, of the increasing practice of pharmacies shutting at short notice, particularly on Saturdays. Non-availability of locums is usually cited as the reason.

Naturally this inconveniences patients, especially those who are expecting to be able to collect prescriptions, and consequently neighbouring pharmacists who then have to try and sort things out. I had occasion a few months ago to advise a pharmacist that he should provide evidence of failure of an agency to provide an agreed locum in order to prevent a "breach of terms of service" hearing.

I have now been made aware of a case where a primary care trust has warned a contractor that, should they persist in this practice (and they have a branch where apparently this is a regular occurrence), and the PCT can obtain evidence of locums being available, then the PCT would consider bringing a service committee case.

I would be interested to know if this action is being considered elsewhere, or indeed, if such action has already been taken.

Miall James
Colchester, Essex

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