I AM still somewhat bemused by the opposition of both Boots and Lloyds Pharmacy to the application by Crediton Pharmacy, a local business, to transfer their dispensing services to new accommodation facilities afforded by New Valley.

It seems that although it’s good for Lloyds to operate out of a surgery it isn’t so for the convenience of the patients of New Valley surgery!

I did some searches on "Wikipedia" and found that Boots was established in 1849, by John Boot. Now owned by Walgreen, America. The company is now effectively "offshore" in Switzerland and as a result is avoiding £100 million pa tax to the British economy and in turn revenue to the NHS, who they are undoubtedly taking a lot of revenue/profit out of.

Lloyds Pharmacy, a new boy on the block, was established as Lloyds Chemist in 1973 by Allen Lloyd. It was purchased by Celesio of Germany in 1997, and is now owned by McKesson, America.

It is interesting to learn that what was once "good for the goose" certainly ain’t so now!

I’ve already registered my protest by moving my pharmacological requirements across the road to Crediton Pharmacy and encourage others to do likewise.

It also makes interesting reading to look at the entry for Simon Stevens, CEO NHS England and draw your own conclusions.

Ron Cuthbertson

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