Lord Darzi's plans to hand the public more power over the NHS play into the hands of pharmacists, industry representatives have said.

The profession was already focused "first and foremost" on the needs of customers, according to Company Chemists' Association chief executive Rob Darracott.

PSNC said Lord Darzi had made "sensible" and "positive" plans in line with recent government policy on pharmacy.

Sue Sharpe, PSNC chief executive, said: "Like the pharmacy white paper, the next stage review emphasises the importance of providing quality healthcare and choice to empower patients... the government has acknowledged pharmacy is ideally placed to provide this."

The NPA backed the review's commitment to involve pharmacy in a national vascular health screening programme.

However, the organisation called for a government-supported public awareness campaign to support the initiative. NPA chief executive John Turk said: "Patient choice is to be the principle driver for quality improvements...the whole sector will need to think about how pharmacy can be collectively promoted."