Pharmacists should not be considered a substitute for GPs, experts claimed today amid fears ministers are glossing over the dire situation practices are facing.
Under NHS plans to free up millions of appointments with family doctors, chemists will be able to dish out contraceptive pills to women.
High street pharmacists will also get powers to hand out prescriptions for common ailments, meaning patients battling minor illnesses can bypass their GP.
The Royal College of GPs said it was ‘keen to