Retailers await clarity on DTI's pharmacy plans

The pharmacy-opening gold rush remains under starter's orders as industry players await clarification on guidelines that could throw up at least 200 licensing opportunities.

Boots, Moss Pharmacy and Asda agree the devil will be in the detail of the DTI's proposals to grant licences to pharmacies opening in shopping centres bigger than 161,460 sq ft (15,000 sq m), or trading for more than 100 hours a week.

Asda said 'clarification' was needed, but reckoned a number of its stores could now be eligible.

Moss managing director Steve Duncan said the proposed changes were 'positive for pharmacy'. He said: 'Within the current recommendations of the DTI, I don't see the grocers as a threat.'