Campaign taken 'to heart of government'

The Labour backbencher says he is deeply alarmed that the Office of Fair Trading's recommendations to scrap entry regulations on pharmacies would allow superstores to muscle in on the trade leaving many local communities without a vital service.

And, backing the Lancashire Evening Telegraph's campaign to save chemists, Burnley MP Mr Pike has served two Commons Motions on the issue.

They appear on Parliament's Daily Agenda -- the order paper -- sent to all MPs, ministers and civil servants. If enough MPs sign the motions, Mr Pike may win a debate on the issue.

The first motion recognises the importance of access to local pharmacy services for patients without transport, the elderly and the disabled. It calls on the government to evaluate carefully the OFT recommendations and ensure they do not lead to the decline of this community service and eventual closure of many local pharmacies.

The second motion expresses concern about a conflict between the OFT proposals to allow sales in supermarkets and the Department of Health's desire for a greater role in local pharmacies in local health care support.

A government decision is due later this summer.

The motion further urges closer co-operation between the two bodies and the recognition of pharmacists as health professionals which are a key part of primary care structures.

Burnley MP Mr Pike said: "I am taking the Lancashire Evening Telegraph campaign to the heart of government.

"I have received a large postbag and several petitions on this issue -- and rightly so.

"I have previously raised questions in the House of Commons regarding the future of community pharmacies.

"I have made the point that pharmacies have been trying to develop, in line with government policy, the approach of providing a wider primary care service to people in the community.

"Local chemists are an essential lifeline to many elderly and sick people and those who live on their own."