The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 270 No 7255 p880
28 June 2003

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Welsh assembly airs rural dispensing row

Disputes between rural doctors and pharmacists over dispensing rights have been given an airing in the National Assembly for Wales.

Carmel, Gorsedd, Milwr and Greenfield in the north Wales Delyn constituency have been reclassified as part of an urban, rather than rural, area, and 2,000 people have been told that they must have their prescriptions dispensed at a pharmacy instead of by their general practitioner.

Questioned in the assembly by Sandy Mewies (Labour, Delyn), First Minister Rhodri Morgan said that the reclassification had followed the proper procedures with a subsequent appeal. All the issues involved had been given full consideration. Mr Morgan reassured Ms Mewies that any patients who could not reach a pharmacy because of mobility problems would still be able to have their dispensing done by their doctor.