PLANS have been submitted to open a new pharmacy in Helensburgh.
A consultation has been launched to measure the public's support for opening at 1-3 East King Street, currently a newsagent.
The move comes after the closure last year of the smaller of two Boots branches on Sinclair Street - and the knock-on effect of added pressure for the remaining three pharmacies in the town.
Daniel Frame and Muaz Jamil first introduced their desire to open a new independent community pharmacy at a meeting of Helensburgh Community Council (HCC) in April.
Now they and NHS Highland have opened the consultation for 90 working days, running until March 2025.
READ MORE: Helensburgh Boots sees thousands more customers after change
Speaking earlier this year, Mr Jamil told HCC the Advertiser's coverage of the increased pressure on local services highlighted the need for a new pharmacy.
He said: "We are interested in the possibility of a new community pharmacy in Helensburgh. Daniel is quite familiar with the area - we just felt it would be an incredible area to work and live in.
"We looked at job prospects and that's when we discovered the closure of Boots.
"Everyone deserves a service and access to the service regardless of where they are.
"The core services will be all very similar, prescriptions and advice. It's the delivery of these services that can set us apart."
The consultation opened today and will run until March 6 at tinyurl.com/Helensburghpharmacy.
In a statement, NHS Highland said: "NHS Highland and Daniel Frame and Muaz Jamil are undertaking a joint consultation exercise to seek the views of local people who may be affected by this, or use the pharmacy at its proposed location, to determine whether residents feel they already have adequate access to pharmacy services in the area and to gauge support for the application.
"A public consultation questionnaire will be available on the NHS Highland website. A paper copy can be posted to you on request by calling 01463 706886.
"The consultation process will last for 90 working days beginning on Monday, October 28 and closing on Thursday, March 6, 2025. No responses can be accepted after 5pm on the closing date.
READ MORE: Helensburgh new pharmacy proposal raised with community body
"All views submitted will be incorporated into a consultation analysis report which will be taken into account by the NHS Highland Pharmacy Practices Committee (PPC) which decides the outcome of an application."
A paper copy of the consultation is available by writing to Secretary to the Pharmacy Practices Committee, NHS Highland Community Pharmacy Services, Assynt House, Beechwood Park, Inverness, IV2 3BW or by calling 01463 706886.
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