Methven pharmacy nod sparks fears for GP surgery

Sep 13 2011 by Denis Brown, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

PLANS for a new pharmacy in Methven have been given the go-ahead – but objectors claim it will be a lethal injection for the village’s only GP surgery.

Methven’s Denside Surgery, a branch of a Perth-based practice, is one of only two GP operations in Perthshire with its own dispensary.

Blairgowrie-based GP, Dr Andrew Buist, a Tayside Local Medical Committee (LMC) member, told the PA that competition from Harrispharm Ltd’s new pharmacy would put a financial squeeze on the GP dispensary.

“What normally happens is the practice will be given instruction to cease dispensing medication by Tayside Health Board (THB) within three to six months, after which the practice could then appeal,” he said yesterday.

“If THB didn’t do this then the new pharmacy wouldn’t get much business so they are really protecting the pharmacy.”

Dr Buist said loss of income would cripple the GP surgery and significantly reduce its viability, force the closure of some clinics, the sacking of dispensing staff, and the possible eventual withdrawal of the entire operation.

“I think this is a bad decision by THB for patient care and goes against the majority wishes of local patients,” he said.

But Allan Gordon, managing director of Blairgowrie-based pharmacy chain Davidsons Chemist, who also heads up Harrispharm Ltd – a presently dormant “shelf company” – insisted the village was big enough for the GP practice and a pharmacy.

“At the (Pharmacy Practices Committee) hearing, the surgery’s doctors said in the short-term they would not change anything, and as agreed at the hearing, Methven is set for a very significant population explosion – 30 per cent over the next few years,” he said.

“According to our statistics, 75 per cent of local people are registered with that practice but 25 per cent aren’t and are forbidden to use the practice, and this figure will only get larger.

“The GP dispensary does not have a pharmacist and only offers a very basic service, which is inadequate.”

Dr Buist said LMC was waiting to hear if Denside’s doctors intended to appeal, which if lodged before September 24 would be heard before Christmas.

“If the decision to award the pharmacy contract is upheld, then the clock will start ticking for the dispensary being removed,” he said.

Local campaigners set up a petition which saw 800 signatures and comments submitted to THB.

These and LMC’s concerns were aired at NHS Tayside’s pharmacy practices committee hearing on August 24, but a decision was made to approve applicant Harrispharm Ltd’s pharmacy.

The committee decided existing arrangements were inadequate to meet villagers’ needs and would be further exacerbated by population growth via municipal and commercial housing developments.

It ruled that residents’ objections were based on the implied threat of losing their local GP service in Methven.

Committee members had been encouraged by the applicant’s intentions to build bridges with the practice and to nurture the public’s understanding of the pharmacy service and its benefits for health.

Mr Gordon said even if Denside’s doctors did not appeal, necessary red tape and shop fitting meant his new pharmacy would not be open for up to six months.

“In the meantime, the GP surgery will get guidance from NHS Tayside for when they feel it’s appropriate to cease dispensing,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Gordon’s turf war with UK chain Goliath, Lloyds Pharmacy, looks set to go another round.

Although a long-running bid by Davidsons Chemist to open a second pharmacy in Auchterarder was finally approved by a national appeal panel last month, Lloyds is now planning to take the matter to court.

Mr Gordon said his understanding was Edinburgh-based solicitors had tabled a petition for a legal review and that THB or the national review panel now had 35 days to present evidence supporting its decision.