The distribution of pharmacies is more closely matched to the needs of patients in deprived areas than GP surgeries, Audit Scotland has said, as it warned health inequalities were still a major problem for the country.

There were more than twice as many pharmacies in the most deprived areas of Scotland than in the least deprived areas, but the distribution of GPs did not fully reflect levels of deprivation, the spending watchdog reported.

There were about 325 community pharmacies in the most deprived areas of Scotland compared to 150 in the least deprived areas, the report highlighted.

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	"Appropriate access to health services is an essential part of reducing health inequalities," the report said. "But the distribution of primary health services across Scotland does not fully reflect the higher level of ill health found in deprived areas."

And auditor general for Scotland Caroline Gardner added that resources should be "better targeted at those who require them most".

Iain Brotchie of Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) Scotland said the report showed that community pharmacies were well placed to meet Scotland's health inequalities challenge.

"The RPS believes this report from Audit Scotland reinforces our call for greater use of pharmacists' professional skills in delivering public health and pharmaceutical care," Mr Brotchie said.

Policy development pharmacist at Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) Matt Barclay said he was delighted that the audit had recognised that pharmacy was "placing itself at the heart of deprived communities".

And Paul Cummings, pharmacy manager of Bannerman's Pharmacy in Dunblane, told C+D the opportunities were already there for pharmacists to help tackle health inequalities.

"I think the opportunities are there for pharmacists to take on different services. We chose to take on the flu vaccine but we were offered blood pressure checks and that kind of thing, it was just the fact that our other branch down the road does it that we didn't," he said.

"Whether or not they take advantage of [the opportunities] is another thing, but we're definitely given the opportunity," Mr Cummings added.