Guernsey Press

Concerns over future of Alderney's pharmacy

THE owner of Alderney's only pharmacy has warned that if the fees paid out by Guernsey's health department fail to rise in line with running costs, he may have to review his service.

Published

Paul Durston has run Boardman's for 10 years, with the business comprising a dispensing pharmacy and a shop which sells over-the-counter medicines, toiletries and gifts.

The pharmacy also serves the hospital and offers free blood pressure checks and an on-call service.

The only income the business derives from the pharmacy section is a fee from HSSD, which averages at around £1.80 per prescription drug dispensed. Pharmaceutical medicines are sold at cost price, with the cost set by the States of Guernsey.

The dispensing fee has not matched inflation for a decade, while the chemist's customer base has declined along with depopulation.

Its overheads are high.

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