Jayesh Mistry with staff Maureen Drury and Matthew Gunstone
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Village backs pharmacist in surgery battle
November 30, 2009
A pharmacist is hoping for an early Christmas present as he waits for the decision on plans for a chemist’s which would ‘finish off’ his business.
Jayesh Mistry, 48, has been overwhelmed by support from villagers after getwokingham revealed a plan by Finchampstead doctors’ surgery to open a pharmacy.
Surgery's bid for pharmacy is a 'monopoly'
Mr Mistry says Jats Pharmacy in Finchampstead Road, will be forced to close if Finchampstead Surgery ploughs ahead with its plan to open a 100-hour a week pharmacy, which he has described as a monopoly.
Mr Mistry has gathered 700 signatures on a petition against the surgery’s proposal and received dozens of letters of support.
NHS Berkshire West, will decide the fate of the surgery’s application for a pharmacy licence.
Mr Mistry, who has run the business for 15 years, said: “At Christmas I might get a present, you never know. I am thinking positive that common sense will prevail.”
This week, getwokingham asked Finchampstead Surgery if its partners would boost their income by opening the pharmacy.
A spokesman for the surgery said it had no further comment to add to any discussion regarding the application.
The surgery has previously said a Government White Paper announced last year threatens to remove patient choice of using local surgery dispensing provision.
Mr Mistry said he was encouraged by last week’s announcement of Royal Assent for the Health Act 2009, which gives primary care trusts a legal duty to develop and publish pharmaceutical needs.
He said: “New pharmacies now have to go through a test to see if they are necessary or desirable.”
Mr Mistry has taken his case to Finchampstead MP Andrew MacKay, as well as the health secretary Andy Burnham and the Health Protection Agency.
He is also lobbying NHS Berkshire West and was due to take the letters and petition to the trust last week.
Mr Mistry said: “I am so happy with all the support, all the public round here have been phenomenal. I really appreciate all they have done for us.
“The public can see common sense.”
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