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Summary of Court Proceedings

24/3/2017

Summary of Court Proceedings

Following yesterdays update. The NPA and Chemist and Druggist have published their final day information regarding the Judicial Review.

The Chemist and Druggist have a News summary with various contributors reporting via video, text and twitter on the day proceedings as well as summarising all three days. This can be accessed here

The NPA have published a third day video report below.

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Judicial Review reveals Treasury's plans to close pharmacies

23/3/2017

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As you know the Judicial Review regarding Community Pharmacy has been taking place in the High Court. The national pharmacy press and the NPA have been reporting on the proceedings. At the bottom of this mail are some links that you can use to follow and read what has been happening.

One of the most disappointing moments seems to have occurred yesterday when it emerged that the Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond, wrote to Theresa May in August to suggest that local pharmacies should be closed and give way to a system of warehouse dispensing.

Philip Hammond apparently wrote on 11 August, to Teresa May advising her that the sector was inefficient, subsidised and needed reforming and he would like to see us follow other retail markets with a shift away from the traditional bricks-and-mortar business model towards scaled up, innovative supply solutions employing digital technology.

Aside from some of the factually incorrect statements the letter showed a lack of understanding of the pharmacy sector, it role in our communities and its vital roles in Primary Care.

The full letter can be read by clicking here.

Responding, NPA Chairman Ian Strachan said:

“This is a smoking gun. We have been warning for months that there are elements within Government that want to see the end of the community pharmacy network that has served so many patients so well for so long. Now the proof is there for all to see. The Treasury is clearly motivated by the notion that centralised medicines supply is cheaper, it is not in the slightest bit interested in the quality of patient care.
“From where I am standing – on the NHS front line – it looks like the funding cuts imposed on us this year are the first salvo in an effort to wipe local pharmacies off the map. But the NPA and the millions of people who have supported our campaign to save local pharmacies will not let that happen.”
“Philip Hammond’s letter contains financial miscalculations and misleads the Prime Minister. Above all it is remarkable for its total lack of appreciation that pharmacies do more than simply supply medicines. For many people they are a local lifeline.”

National Coverage of the proceedings

Chemist and Druggist
http://www.chemistanddruggist.co.uk/news/
Twitter:- @ChemistDruggist and #CutsInCourt

P3 Pharmacy Magazine
http://www.p3pharmacy.co.uk
Twitter @p3pharmacy

Pharmacy Network
http://www.pharmacymagazine.co.uk
Twitter @ThePharmNetwork

NPA Summary of Proceedings

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Pharmacy Campaign Update: - Judicial Review starts today. See messages from PSNC and NPA

21/3/2017

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The Judicial Reviews relating to the changes imposed on community pharmacy on October 20th 2016 will be heard in the High Court this week. The hearing will start today Tuesday 21st March, with an estimated hearing time of three days. The two cases being brought by PSNC and the NPA will be heard together.

PSNC was granted permission for the Judicial Review from the High Court in December last year. The PSNC case is that the Secretary of State failed to carry out a lawful consultation on the proposals for community pharmacy.

Click here to read more about PSNC’s application for leave for a Judicial Review.

The NPA’s case is focused on arguments that the Secretary of State failed to properly discharge his Public Sector Equality Duties and failed to appreciate community pharmacy’s wider healthcare role. The NPA will release their own information about their case.

The barristers representing the various parties are:

Alison Foster QC (PSNC)
David Locke QC (NPA)
James Eadie (DH)

During the hearing the judge will explore the arguments from each party and consider the very substantial amount of information that has been disclosed through this process, particularly by the Department of Health.

The judge may reserve making a decision at the end of the hearing, and if this happens we may not know the outcome of the cases for several weeks. It is not helpful to speculate on what the outcome may be at this stage.

PSNC Chief Executive Sue Sharpe said:

“PSNC very much regrets that it became necessary to take this unprecedented step. We have always sought to work constructively and collaboratively with the NHS and Department of Health. Over many years our negotiations were characterised by robust exchanges and a willingness on both sides to listen and consider each others’ views and analysis, and we were able to reach agreement.

This changed last year and the Department would not engage with us constructively on the most important elements of the 17 December 2015 letter.

PSNC’s focus this week will be on the hearing to ensure that our case is presented in the best way. We will issue a further statement after the proceedings.”

The NPA Chairman, Ian Strachan, has issued a video message to contractors from the NPA about the Judicial Review. This can be view below.

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Pharmacy Future 2016
Information

Following the DH letter in December announcing 6% cuts in Pharmacy funding the LPC have set up this Rolling Blog to keep you updated .

Summary of Court Proceedings

Judicial Review reveals Treasury's plans to close pharmacies

Pharmacy Campaign Update: - Judicial Review starts today. See messages from PSNC and NPA

Pharmacy Future 2016​Information

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