Dear Thank you for signing the petition about your local pharmacy. As you know, the Office of Fair Trading decided, as is their right, to review the regulations that govern where pharmacies can be set up. Their recommendations would have made life very difficult for community pharmacies in shopping parades and centres across the country. I am pleased to say that after considering the report, the reaction from chemists and the public, the government have rejected the proposals. They have announced, instead, a range of measures that will preserve local chemists and build NHS services that are modern and cost effective. The proposals are to: · get local Primary Care Trusts to protect consumer choice when considering applications for new pharmacies; · allow more internet and mail-order services, which many patients prefer; · to ensure that any new pharmacies in large shopping centres have a duty to provide a full range of services and can’t just cherry pick the most profitable work; · negotiate a new contract for community pharmacists to promote and reward high quality services for consumers. Taken together these measures will raise standards for patients and support the needs of small and independent pharmacists who play such a vital role in our communities. I am pleased to say that local chemists have welcomed the decision to reject the worst elements of the OFT report and look forward to the outcome of the contract negotiations. I hope you find this reassuring. Thank you for supporting your local pharmacy. Yours sincerely | 
