Clause 32 - Reviews of pilot schemes
Health and Social Care Bill
11:15 am
Mr Philip Hammond (Runnymede and Weybridge, Conservative)
No. It is important that we consider the impact of schemes on wider retail competition. If a scheme resulted in the closure of a corner pharmacy that had also been in the habit of providing, say, milk and bread for the local community—although that might be unusual—it would be relevant and would need to be taken into account, because it would affect the community. Many pharmacists provide items ancillary to their principle business, such as baby care products. For someone in an isolated area, the closing down of the only place that sells babies' nappies will be a material consideration.