TWO more East Lancashire MPs have backed the Lancashire Evening Telegraph's campaign to keep neighbourhood pharmacies.

Pendle Labour MP Gordon Prentice spoke out in the House of Commons against the Office of Fair Trading report which wants to end protection for local chemists shops.

And Rossendale and Darwen MP Janet Anderson received a 1,000-signature petition from Mark Collins of the Bank Street Pharmacy in Rawtenstall, who is also spokesman for East Lancashire Pharmaceutical Association.

The move, if it goes ahead, could see supermarkets and other big businesses squeezing out community pharmacists leaving vulnerable people such as the elderly, pregnant women and young mothers facing long journeys for vital medicines.

The pair have now joined others including Foreign Secretary and Blackburn MP Jack Straw, Hyndburn MP Greg Pope, Burnley MP Peter Pike and Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans in opposing the chemists free for all.

The campaign has also been backed by local pharmacists, the National Pharmaceutical Association, groups for the elderly and local health officials.

Mr Prentice said: "Since the OFT report, which recommended the abolition of all entry controls in the UK pharmacy sector, I have been inundated with calls from local pharmacies and others asking that their position is safeguarded.

"The abolition of the controls, which have been in place since 1987 and require anyone wishing to provide NHS pharmaceutical services to apply to the NHS locally for a contract, could have serious consequences.

"The OFT concluded that deregulation would result in more pharmacies and more price competition. This recommendation is backed by the big supermarkets, such as Asda, who say that people will pay less and have more opportunity to visit a pharmacy in a supermarket.

"I do not want to see anything which will undermine our network of local pharmacies which have served communities well over the years.

"Pharmacists provide more than a sales service, they are an important part of the health team and offer health advice and guidance. This is particularly valuable to the elderly and vulnerable who may find it difficult if local pharmacies disappear."

Mrs Anderson said she would present the petition to Parliament as soon as possible.

She said: "I welcome these views and share the concern about the possible effect this could have on the provision of pharmacy services in Rossendale and Darwen.

"Publication of this report is a significant milestone for community pharmacy but its recommendations have potentially far-reaching implications, not just for pharmacists but for doctors who dispense, the NHS and most importantly for patients. It is therefore vital that we hear the views of all stakeholders."

In the debate at Westminster Junior Health Minister David Lammy refused to give any indication of the government's thinking on proposals but promised to listen to the view of MPs, health care professionals and the public.

Tory Anthony Steen, who called the debate, warned that deregulating pharmacists would sound a the death knell for local chemists leading to a collapse of their presence in the high street and the deterioration in local communities.