I have been following the media reports in the wake of the Guardian' s article alleging certain Boots managers are abusing medicine use reviews (MURs), and I feel it would be good to set the record straight.
 
In October 2007, the NHS dropped a bombshell and announced a claw back of £480 million from pharmacy as a whole. That nearly destroyed pharmacy overnight. However, the Department of Health realised this and soon after put some funding back into the sector by way of commissioning services. Their intention was obviously to make pharmacy more clinical.
 
At the time – everyone, including pharmacy owners at both corporate and independent companies, as well as pharmacists – struggled to cope with that change. Since then, we have all learnt to manage and pharmacy has, in fact, become more clinical.
 
Pharmacy has been at the heart of local communities for over two centuries, winning and keeping the trust of those we serve. So we must be doing something right.

We always meet the ever-changing and complex needs of the NHS for the safe and efficient supply of medicines. We pride ourselves on giving the best advice on medicines to our communities.
 
While there is a long waiting time to see GPs, pharmacy offers evening and weekend care to our patients. We are there when the customer wants us, in the high street and communities.
 
The sector always recognises that customers and patients come first. It sets a high professional standard and maintains customer trust. 

In fairness to Boots, they are always introducing new products and services, which companies like ours try and learn from. You don't become successful in business without looking at what your competitors are doing well.
 
Pharmacies are businesses, but all we are asking is a fair return for shouldering the burden and doing more than our fair share of reducing the pressure on the rest of the NHS. Incidentally, I am also a non-executive director of a large teaching hospital and have seen many patients with minor ailments turn to A&E when they cannot see their GP.
 
Pharmacy has a growing workforce of skilled pharmacists and technicians. No other healthcare profession is so well placed in the front line to take on more to help the NHS. Pharmacy offers the NHS a real opportunity, one that it needs to grasp with both hands.

Do you agree with Mr Patel?

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