Community pharmacies are safe: Neeson

12.00.00am GMT Thu 27th Mar 2003

Alliance East Antrim Assembly member Sean Neeson has said that news that the Health Minister has today rejected pharmacy deregulation in Northern Ireland will be warmly welcomed by the elderly, infirm and those less well-off.

Mr Neeson, who had spoken out in defence of East Antrim pharmacies against deregulation, said: "The ill thought-out plans for deregulation would undoubtedly have led to the demise of the community pharmacy. That in turn would have led to greater social exclusion for those who are already disadvantaged.

"We have a large rural population here, and deregulation would simply have led to pharmacies being situated in more profitable towns and cities - not where they are actually needed.

"Community pharmacies are vital to many, and I thank the Minister for putting health before profit."

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