Bob Doris, Scottish National Party MSP and Vice-Convenor of the Scottish Parliament’s Health Committee has hailed the work of community pharmacists in delivering modern healthcare following a visit to the Rowlands Pharmacy in Springburn.

The visit was organised by Community Pharmacy Scotland which represents the owners of Scotland’s community pharmacies.

The minor ailments service is one of the core components of the NHS pharmacy contract. It provides medicines for common conditions which require little or no medical intervention. MAS has been successful in lessening the burden on GP resources with registrations increasing year on year. Over 770,000 Scots are now registered with the service.

Mr Doris was also interested in the work of the Rowlands pharmacy team in delivering support and care for people with long term conditions using the Chronic Medication Service.

Mr Doris said: “Medicines provided under the Minor Ailments Service now account for 1.6 % of all prescribed medicines in Scotland and I am keen to further raise awareness of the service amongst those eligible. For example, I will be writing to the Education Director at Glasgow City Council to request that information is fed through Glasgow Schools so that parents are made aware of the eligibility of their children.

“Community pharmacies are central to the delivery of modern healthcare and I believe in the years to come they will become all the more important. I was truly impressed by the dedication and expertise of the staff during my visit at Springburn.

Malcolm Clubb, Policy Development Pharmacist, Community Pharmacy Scotland, said: “Community Pharmacy Scotland is always looking to engage and work in partnership with political decision makers on those policies affecting healthcare and pharmacies. So we are delighted that someone of Mr Doris’s  standing has taken the time to see the services being delivered by Rowlands at Springburn

“This visit afforded the opportunity to highlight some of the new pharmaceutical care services now being delivered in community pharmacies across Scotland, services such as the Minor Ailment Service and the Chronic Medication Service”