Workington MP Sue Hayman has met with the Government to talk about pharmacy funding, following concerns raised by Cockermouth's JWW Allison. 

She met with Alistair Burt, the pharmacies minister, and Dr Keith Ridge, the NHS chief pharmaceutical officer.

Mrs Hayman recently asked Prime Minister David Cameron about the same issue.

Mrs Hayman and the minister discussed the fact that there is an expectation that pharmacies need to save £170m as part of the NHS efficiencies drive.

As part of this, there is currently a consultation taking place on how this should best happen.

Mrs Hayman explained Allisons’ concerns about potential changes to dispensing, and the pressures that will be on small, independent pharmacies, who do not have the power and influence of large retailers.

She said: "The minister agreed with me that the dominance of these large retailers would be problematic, and is not what the consultation is aiming to achieve.

"He also said that it is not the Government’s intention that pharmacies should close because of the changes, although he does recognise that this might happen.

"He recognised that the relationship that pharmacies such as Allisons have with their customers is absolutely vital, and I stressed that within a hub and spoke dispensing environment that this vital relationship risks being lost.

"The minister was also keen to stress that negotiations with the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee are ongoing, and Dr Ridge said that he is due to carry out a Pharmacy Clinical Services review shortly – part of this will look at how pharmacies can take the pressure off local GPs and hospitals.

"It was a very useful meeting, and I am pleased that I was able to represent Allisons’ concerns directly to the minister and the chief pharmaceutical officer.

"A follow-up meeting has been promised in the near future, and I will continue to push for the needs of small, independent pharmacies in my constituency."