CHEMISTS in Darlington are to meet Health Secretary Alan Milburn to discuss a possible threat to their futures.
They fear that sick and elderly people in the town could be hit hard by proposals to relax the rules on opening pharmacies.
The Government may lift restrictions on how many chemists can dispense prescriptions in a particular area after an Office of Fair Trading (OFT) report said the move would save customers and the NHS money.
But independent traders are concerned that they could be forced out of business if supermarket chains capitalise on profitable areas.
Three pharmacists will see Darlington MP Mr Milburn today to present petitions, signed by customers, calling for the report to be rejected.
They are being backed by the National Pharmaceutical Association.
Several supermarket chains have welcomed the OFT's recommendations, which the Government is consulting about. Mr Milburn has suggested he will reject the OFT findings if there is sufficient opposition.
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