Balmullo people fighting for a pharmacy in their village have been urged to influence Government reform on how dispensing licences are issued.
Residents have been campaigning in support of plans for a new outlet since their local GP surgery lost the right to dispense prescriptions. The issue goes back five years to when a new pharmacy was proposed in nearby Leuchars, placing the surgery’s dispensing licence at risk.
Pitcairn Practice was finally told to close its dispensary last year and an application for a new commercial pharmacy in the health centre was turned down last week.
Questions have been raised over how the case was handled by NHS Fife’s pharmacy practices committee. The application was initially approved, before an appeal against it by neighbouring pharmacies referred back to Fife by the national appeals panel was upheld.
The Scottish Government is to update its guidance to NHS boards on permitting new community pharmacies.
Balmullo resident Alan Kennedy, who has been a leading voice in the action, said: “We don’t know yet what reforms are about to be announced.
“However, all patients in the Balmullo area should have no hesitation in letting the minister for health and wellbeing, Alex Neil MSP, know by letter or email exactly what they feel about the way the Balmullo case, from start to finish over the last five years, has been handled by NHS Fife and the national appeals panel.
“Openness and democracy is sadly lacking in the whole process, which seems to favour pharmaceutical interests way beyond patient needs. The time is coming when that will change and patients will start having their voice heard.”
The Government confirmed it would soon update its control-of-entry guidance for NHS boards and contractors, in response to questions in the Scottish Parliament by north-east Fife MSP Roderick Campbell and Rutherglen member James Kelly.
NHS Fife declined to comment on the Balmullo application due to the possibility of a further appeal.