Justin Tomlinson, minister of state at the Department for Work and Pensions, has pledged support for community pharmacy.
During a recent visit to an independent pharmacy in Swindon, Tomlinson said: “I'm a huge fan of community pharmacies, they are a key part of our fantastic health service and I want to do more to champion their role."
The North Swindon MP praised the work of community pharmacies as they worked to support local residents throughout the coronavirus outbreak.
"As we saw during Covid, when access to GP services has been understandably challenging, the heroic efforts of our community pharmacies really made a massive difference.
"We need to make sure that these pharmacies remain an integrated part of our healthcare provision because we can see the clear demand for the services they provide."
The minister met with pharmacist Gurinder Singh, and the owner of Taw Hill Pharmacy Charlie Wu to learn about how the coronavirus outbreak had impacted community pharmacies.
He also heard how staff had worked tirelessly to adapt to Covid conditions and meet the surge in demand, staying open later and even delivering prescriptions throughout lockdown.
Later in the week, in an exclusive column on pharmacists for Swindon Advertiser published on Friday (September 11), he wrote: "It was great to hear Charlie talk about how his team had really stepped up to meet this demand, even staying open late to do so.
"Speaking to Charlie and Gurinder, it was apparent just how important pharmacies are to their local communities, and the vital role they play in supporting some of the most vulnerable people in society."
Cat Smith, Labour MP for Lancaster and Wyre