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HoC Oral Answers - 05.11.08
Topical questions: GP dispensing
Peter Luff (Conservative, Mid-Worcestershire)
Did the Minister of State, the right hon. Member for Bristol, South (Dawn Primarolo), really mean her answer to my hon. Friend the Member for South-West Devon (Mr. Streeter) that the Government have no plans that will adversely impact on GP dispensing? I have received literally hundreds of letters from constituents who all share my view, and the view of GPs, that three of the four proposals in the current consultation document would seriously adversely impact on GP dispensing and, therefore, the rural areas they serve, and only one-option 1, which recommends the status quo-is acceptable.
Dawn Primarolo (Minister of State for Public Health)
Yes, I did seriously mean that answer, and if the hon. Gentleman refers back to the consultation document, he will see that it sets down four possible ways of looking at an issue that has not been reviewed for more than 60 years, but there are no specific proposals to do anything. [Hon. Members: "Oh!"] There are no specific proposals to do anything, as that is not the purpose of the consultation. So if the hon. Gentleman is saying the Government intend to abolish GP dispensing, that is not true.
Posted 5 November 2008