Scottish pharmacists have welcomed the country's decision to remain in the UK as a source of stability for the sector.

Pharmacists told C+D of their frustration at the uncertainty of the past few months and said they were looking forward to returning to "business as usual" after the announcement this morning (September 19) that 55 per cent of voters had not supported independence.

Pharmacist David Massie of Eastwood Pharmacy in Glasgow told C+D he was "delighted" with the result and said independence would not have brought the "buoyant" health service voters were promised.

He was optimistic over the prospect of more powers being devolved to the Scottish Parliament. "We will get all the best bits [of] independence without the uncertainty," Mr Massie said. "It's been a mixed bag of responses from patients; I've had two in tears and others delighted."

Gordon Largue, owner of Largue Pharmacy in Aberdeenshire, told C+D he had to "think twice" about investing in his business before the referendum results were known. "It will keep stability and now we will just carry on as usual," Mr Largue said. 

Karen Braithwaite, owner of Aberlour Pharmacy in Moray, agreed the uncertainty had prevented her from operating as normal.

"If there had been independence there would have been a lot of expense for the government. We were all concerned there wouldn't be much money left over to provide the services we deliver at the moment," she said.

"[Now] we can get on with planning the future and be more confident about the value of the health service," Ms Braithwaite added.

Numark director of pharmacy services Mimi Lau said the buying group would be keeping a "close eye" on whether the devolved powers promised to Scotland by Westminster would have ramifications for Numark members across the UK.

Ms Lau, who is Scottish, said Numark members from "the borders to the Highlands" had expressed a range of reviews about the "momentous" campaign.

"I know from conversations with them over the past few months that there were strong feelings on both the ‘yes' and the ‘no' side, and – not uncommon in our profession – a few who could see both sides of the argument," she added.

However James Semple, superintendent pharmacist of the TLC pharmacy group, expressed his disappointment at the ‘no' result on Twitter.

NHS funding would suffer as a result of Scotland remaining in the UK, said Mr Semple, who was confident the independence movement would "retain its momentum".

Read C+D's analysis of how independence could have affected Scotland's pharmacists.

	What do you think the successful 'no' vote will mean for pharmacy?