Joyce gets minister's backing to protect customer confidentiality in pharmacies

Joyce Watson AM was delighted to get ministerial backing in her fight to ensure that customer and patient confidentiality in pharmacies is built into future plans to charge for single-use carrier bags.

Mrs Watson, who spent this summer touring community pharmacies throughout Mid and West Wales as part of her tour to tackle the risk of stroke, asked Assembly Environment Minister Jane Davidson to guarantee that the charges will not apply to free prescription items being dispensed at clinics and pharmacies.

Joyce Watson AM (Mid and West Wales) asked the minister:

"As you know, I have raised concerns in the past about how this policy will apply to dispensing clinics and pharmacies. For obvious reasons of discretion and confidentiality, pharmacists and other dispensers need to use single use bags.

"Can you therefore guarantee that in no circumstances will free prescription items have to be put into bags for which pharmacists, or any other prescribers or dispensers, will be required to charge for?

"And will you agree to the wording requested by Community Pharmacy Wales that: 'The charge for single-use carrier bags would not apply to the sale or supply of medicines, appliances and surgical items from registered pharmacy premises.' ?"

The Minister supported Joyce's intention, saying that she agreed in principle to the CPW wording and would ask lawyers to consider it now.

Speaking after the debate, Mrs Watson said:

"I am delighted that the minister has agreed to this exemption in principle. I support the move to cut so much plastic waste. Travelling though mid and west Wales I see too often how it spoils our beautiful countryside, as well as causing long term damage. This is an important initiative, which could nudge people towards good consumer habits for the long term good of our environment.

"I do think that free prescriptions should be exempted from this. I believe people's prescriptions should remain confidential, as a matter of dignity. This issue came up several times during my summer tour, and I am committed to following this issue through."