Keetch takes campaign to save local pharmacies to Government

12.00.00pm GMT Wed 2nd Apr 2003

Paul Keetch MP and other Lib Dem MPs present petitions on local pharmacies to the DTi

Responding to the overwhelming amount of petitions and constituent letters expressing concern over the plans put forward by the Office of Fair Trading to open up the pharmacy industry, Hereford's Liberal Democrat MP Paul Keetch said:

"The level of local response to this issue demonstrates how concerned the people of Herefordshire are about the effect of the OFT's recommendations on their local pharmacies. I have also spoken to pharmacies themselves and understand their concerns."

"I will continue to keep pressure on the Government to be more accountable for their decisions and to reconsider their case for making the pharmacy industry into a big-business free-for-all.

"As the elderly and the infirm are the most affected by the closure of pharmacies and lack of accessibility, I feel it is my duty, especially to my constituents, to press forward on this issue and voice their concerns and protect their right to a fair pharmaceutical industry."

In response to Patricia Hewitt's statement last week on the possible rejection of OFT Report recommendations to liberalise entry controls to the pharmacy industry, Mr Keetch said:

"I hope this indicates our campaign is having an effect, but we must keep the pressure on to ensure that the Government is definitely listening."

On April 2 Paul Keetch joined Liberal Democrat colleagues in presenting their petitions to the Department of Trade and Industry.