The Telegraphs article on summary care records was 'wholly misleading', according to a joint statement released by RPS, PSNC and Pharmacy voice. The article, which went online on 9 August, suggests that privacy campaigners fear plans to give pharmacies access to patient information could lead to hard sell tactics to the vulnerable.

"Community pharmacists are regularly identified as the most trusted healthcare professionals and they are already well informed about patients’ medicines and in some cases the conditions they are treating," said PSNC’s director of NHS Services, Alastair Buxton.

A seperate statement from Pharmacy Voice empahsised how much the article had rialled the world of pharmacy, saying: "The article suggested that companies will have access to patients’ medical records, and could use this data to sell vulnerable customers their products. This is categorically untrue."

"Our members recognise the importance of data protection and patient confidentially, and fully support the controls the NHS will put in place to place to monitor and audit access to the Summary Care Record."

The General Pharmaceutical Council’s chief executive, Duncan Rudkin, also added his voice to those defending SCR access, saying in a statement: “As the pharmacy regulator, we can assure patients that pharmacy professionals and all community pharmacies (including those located in supermarkets) have to meet our standards when accessing patient records.”

“These standards make clear the responsibilities of pharmacy professionals and pharmacy owners in relation to holding patients’ information securely and respecting their privacy. Anybody who obtains, records or holds data is also bound to comply with the Data Protection Act.”

The Telegraph story can be found here