Written question asked by Mark Oaten (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 26 November 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 1 December 2009. It was answered by Mike O'Brien (Labour) on Tuesday, 1 December 2009 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Health Professions: Pay

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to ensure pay parity between pharmacy contractors and appliance contractors.

Answer: Over the last few years, the Department has been carrying out a review of the arrangements under Part IX of the Drug Tariff for the provision of appliances—and related services—in primary care. Throughout the review the Department's key aims were to:"maintain and, where applicable, improve patient care;""ensure equitable payment to dispensing appliance contractors and pharmacy contractors for the provision of equivalent services; and""achieve transparency between what is paid for services and what is reimbursed for items."The new arrangements for the provision of stoma and urology appliances—and related services—in primary care were announced by my hon. Friend the Minister of State (Phil Hope) in a written ministerial statement on 1 April 2009, Official Report, column 67WS and an overview of the new arrangements was placed in the Library. We are looking to implement the changes next year.

Secondary information