THE fight for a new chemist in Auchterarder has gained important allies this week.
Conservative MSP Elizabeth Smith revealed that she has written to Tayside Health Board giving full support to the opening of a second pharmacy after speaking with a number of residents in the town.
She explained: One of the most important considerations when it comes to issuing a new pharmacy licence is the level of public demand.
Over the past few months, I have received a large number of communications from local residents and, as a result, have become very conscious of the extent of support for the opening of a second pharmacy; something which I believe will also be apparent in the responses to the consultation exercise which has just been completed by NHS Tayside.
I have therefore written to the health board in my capacity as an MSP to say that I am supporting Davidsons application to open a new pharmacy in the town.
Davidsons Chemist has received a further boost, with St Margarets Health Centre also writing to the health authority showing their support for the plans.
Managing director of the pharmacy chain, Allan Gordon, told the Herald: I am delighted that Liz has taken the views of her constituents on board and supported both their and our case.
Credibility
I am also pleased to say that local surgery St Margarets has made a representation to Tayside Health Board, which will give us a bit more credibility.
Although the period of public consultation has now finished, Davidsons is still putting together its case for the panel, which Mr Gordon is hoping will be heard within the next three months.
We have been collecting the views of people living in the Auchterarder area. Many have phoned, written or emailed with messages that they desperately need a new chemist.
And this will be continuing, as we have engaged the services of a research company, who will be doing face to face interviews in various locations in the town near the middle of September.
Specifically, Mr Gordon is looking for examples of poor service from the current provision, supplied by Lloyds Pharmacy.
It is clear from the National Appeal Panel that they want us to bring a case with teeth which shows that the current service is inadequate, so we need evidence of incidents like getting the wrong medication, having to wait half an hour in the chemist to get your prescription, or not getting it because they didnt order it.
Anyone who has any information that supports Davidsons case can email auchterarder@wdavidson.com.
