Liberal Democrat MP Tom Brake has pledged to personally deliver postcards from his constituents protesting against pharmacy cuts to ministers at the Department of Health (DH).

The MP told C+D he plans to deliver the "large bag" of protest postcards he has been sent from his constituents to the DH. The National Pharmacy Association, Pharmacy Voice and the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee printed 100,000 postcards as part of their campaign against the government's planned pharmacy cuts. 

Mr Brake told C+D he is “perplexed” by the government’s proposals to slash pharmacy funding and intends to “continue to campaign on the issue”.

The Conservative government is putting out "a very confused message", the MP for Carshalton and Wallington, in south west London, told C+D.

“For the last 10 years, there have been successive governments who have encouraged members of parliament like me to promote pharmacy as a means of easier access for patients,” Mr Brake said. “We don’t want the pressure shifted into GP surgeries that are struggling or A&E, which is also struggling."

"Vigorous campaign" 

Mr Brake said his local community pharmacy was undertaking a "vigorous campaign" and he had attended a meeting last month with around 30 pharmacists from Sutton and Merton in south London. 

Mr Brake is working with local pharmacies to build up momentum behind the funding cuts campaign, he said. "I've tried to encourage them to get endorsements from patients so there are real life examples of people who have benefited from pharmacy services," he added. 
 

Have you met with your local MP to discuss the cuts?

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