FRUSTRATED shoppers trying to collect prescriptions from a huge new Boots store are being turned away because of an NHS ban.

The pharmacy counter at the store on the Middlebrook retail park has not been granted a licence to dispense prescriptions - making it one of the few Boots unable to do so.

Bolton pharmaceutical committee has ruled that there is already adequate provision in the area and it was not "necessary or desirable" to grant another NHS licence.

One stunned customer who tried to collect his prescription said: "I couldn't believe what I was being told. It's a huge Boots, it's got a pharmacy counter and you expect it to be one of the basic services of a store like that.

"It must be one of the only Boots in the country which doesn't do prescriptions. I was told in the store they couldn't do them because the Tesco in Horwich already do them."

A Boots spokesman said: "In all our stores we endeavour to offer a full range of health care services which they would expect from a Boots store and, in the majority of cases, this includes dispensing NHS prescriptions.

"However we are disappointed to confirm that we are unable to offer an NHS dispensing service through the Middlebrook store as we have not been granted an NHS dispensing contract."

David Bethall, Bolton Pharmaceutical Committee chairman, said: "Our role is to ensure that there are adequate pharmaceutical services in the area. We consider each application on the basis of whether it is necessary or desirable.

"We have not had any complaints about the situation."

The committee's decision was backed by the Wigan and Bolton Health Authority and an appeal by Boots to the NHS Executive was rejected.

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