Conservative MP for North East Bedfordshire Alistair Burt has been appointed pharmacy minister, the Department of Health (DH) has announced.

The former foreign office minister was appointed minister of state for community and social care last week. As well as pharmacy, the DH confirmed this weekend that Mr Burt had responsibility for primary care, adult social care, mental health, older people, and physical and learning disabilities.

Pharmacy Voice chief executive Rob Darracott said he was pleased that the "pharmacy brief has been returned to a minister of state", after being the responsibility of former parliamentary under-secretary of state for quality Earl Howe for five years.

PSNC chief executive Sue Sharpe said the negotiating body was "pleased to note that [Mr Burt's] responsibilities also include care for older people and integration, both of which are important areas for community pharmacy”.

Mr Burt first entered parliament in 1983 and served in the last coalition government as parliamentary under secretary of state at the foreign and commonwealth office. 

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