A Labour MP has used a question drafted by C+D to confront the government about the effect of planned pharmacy funding cuts on vulnerable patients.

Paula Sheriff used a parliamentary debate last week (January 28) to ask House of Commons leader Chris Grayling if the government will debate how the potential closure of a quarter of community pharmacies in England would affect patients.

Using a question drafted for her by C+D, the MP for Dewsbury and Mirfield highlighted the "essential services" pharmacists deliver – including methadone dispensing – as well as minor ailments advice that reduces admissions to "overburdened GPs [and] A&E departments".
 
"Plenty of time for representations"

Mr Grayling responded that the government’s negotiations on pharmacy funding have "only just started" and there is "plenty of time for representations”.

"We need to get the process right and [pharmacy] minister [Alistair Burt] has heard the point she made," he added.

Watch Ms Sherriff ask the question in parliament.

Ms Sherriff, who is also treasurer for the all-party pharmacy group (APPG) has already given C+D an insider’s view of a meeting with the Department of Health about the planned 6% cut to funding. 
 

What do you think about Mr Grayling's response?

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