Sarah Owen, Labour MP for Luton North, visits Stopsley Pharmacy

Mahendra Patel (Pharmacist) and Angela Doherty (Non-Pharmacist Pharmacy Manager) were grateful to Sarah Owen, Labour MP for Luton North, and her colleagues, accepting our invitation to come and visit Stopsley Pharmacy in Luton.

A tour of the whole pharmacy gave Sarah a greater insight into the daily roles and responsibilities required to provide pharmaceutical services, on behalf of the NHS, to the local community. This was a chance to explain the value of pharmacy and how much patients and local communities rely on pharmacy. I requested Sarah’s support for this sector.

During a discussion with Sarah, we explained of her support, as an MP, to help us to influence Government thinking and policy on an ongoing basis, and that at the moment, we particularly need MPs support to help press for an urgent funding intervention to protect pharmacy services.  We also need to show MPs the severity of the pressures facing pharmacies at the moment.

Sarah was keen to show support for local businesses and services. She explained her commitment to the local area and felt passionate about defending local services that may be facing closures.