Storey meets with local pharmacists

Commenting Mr. Storey said “I was pleased to be able to hear at first hand the concerns of local pharmacists regarding their concerns about the future funding of community pharmacies.

“Community pharmacies provide a valuable service across Northern Ireland and ensures that everyone has ready access to a broad range of affordable and convenient services.

The concern that was expressed to me was that any reduction to funding could have a negative impact on the important contribution pharmacies make to primary care and public health and providing the ready support to not only the young and the old but also to those most vulnerable in our society.

“I was particularly concerned to hear of the fears expressed regarding services in rural areas that may be under threat as a result of this situation such as in places like Rasharkin, Armoy, Dunloy, Cloughmills.

“I was able to inform the pharmacist that recently I had the opportunity along with the local MP Ian Paisley Jnr to meet with Mr Edwin Poots MLA – Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety, we took that opportunity to underscore the importance of community pharmacist provision in our constituency, I have also now written again to the minister expressing the particular concerns of local pharmacist who are extremely concerned about the future provision of their service.”