Local Assembly Member Paul Davies has visited a local pharmacy in Crymych to learn more about the role of a pharmacist in the community and to discuss current pharmaceutical issues facing the industry. The pharmacy, run by Phil Parry is a community pharmacy which offers a broad range of services from dispensing drugs to administering cholesterol tests and advice on home health care services.

Paul Davies said, "This was a great opportunity to understand more about the pharmacy profession and the challenges facing them. Pharmacies play a very important role in our communities and their services are invaluable. Pharmacists play a valuable role in advising people about the best sorts of medicines to treat your symptoms. They also have an increasing role in helping people avoid illness in the first place, by providing healthy living advice and promoting the benefits of a healthy lifestyle."

"It is essential that local health boards allow pharmacies to develop their services so that they can take on more responsibilities in the local community. I also hope that the Welsh Assembly Government are listening to the voices of community pharmacists and are focusing on this issue."

Phil Parry said, "We were very pleased that Paul Davies was able to take the time to visit us. I think it was useful for him to see the kind of services which are, and which could be, available from community pharmacies. New NHS services might include quit smoking assessments, lifestyle clinics, and a service to treat minor ailments – freeing up GP resources."

"We agree with Paul that we look to the Welsh Assembly Government to progress the new services under development. We also hope the Hywel Dda Health Board will further engage with community pharmacists to commission services which will improve health and contain cost. Everybody benefits!"