Community pharmacy’s prospects appear to have been boosted after two ministers who have trumpeted the sector in recent years were named as ministers at the Department of Health and Social Care.

Stephen Kinnock (pictured) and Karin Smyth were today named as health ministers, although the exact nature of their roles in the Department has not yet been disclosed. The pair are the first ministers to be appointed under the health secretary Wes Streeting.

Smyth, who held on to her Bristol South seat during the general election, was a staunch critic of the Conservatives over their failure to support pharmacies whilst in government.

In June last year, she attacked the Tories over pharmacy closures and medicines supply problems which she insisted had led to “the absurd situation where women were phoning or visiting multiple pharmacies for a prescribed dose of hormone replacement therapy and other drugs”. Smyth accused the Tories of “letting people down”.

Kinnock, the MP for Aberafan Maesteg, has also voiced his support for pharmacies. In 2016, he led a campaign in his constituency to increase awareness of diabetes and nominated his local pharmacy to carry out testing during Diabetes Awareness Week.

Image: www.parliament.uk