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WQ.326/2023
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR SOCIAL SECURITY BY THE CONNÉTABLE OF ST. MARTIN
QUESTION SUBMITTED ON MONDAY 11th SEPTEMBER 2023 ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON MONDAY 18th SEPTEMBER 2023
Question
“Will the Minister outline what engagement, if any, the Departments of Customer and Local Services and Health and Community Services have had with pharmacists in the rural parishes in order to establish whether they have any specific needs or concerns that may require alternative arrangements for pharmacies outside the urban centres, particularly with regard to accessibility and financial support?”
Answer
The Government have undertaken extensive consultation with community pharmacies during the latter part of 2022 through to March 2023 when an investment package was agreed. Consultation and negotiations were conducted via the Jersey Chemist Contractors Negotiating Committee who sought the views of all members including pharmacies outside the urban centres. Dispensing fees were increased as part of this agreement, including the maintenance of a two-tier dispensing fee which supports smaller pharmacies with low dispensing volumes by paying a higher rate for the first 50,000 items.
Discussions are currently underway regarding the creation of a new overarching agreement to govern commissioned services where support for small pharmacies in remote areas has already been highlighted specifically for discussion.