Health secretary Andrew Lansley's ambitious plans to overhaul NHS commissioning and reduce expenditure have received the backing of the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC).

Speaking after a question-and-answer session with the Conservative minister, PSNC chief executive Sue Sharpe suggested the community pharmacy sector could be poised to reap the rewards from the extensive restructuring planned by the government.

"Pharmacy is not being exempted from the need to find economies," she explained. "The government's policy provides a tremendous opportunity to prove that we can offer high-quality, patient-centred services at a lower cost."

Ms Sharpe added that the PSNC intends to continue negotiations with Britain's health authorities as part of a "sustained and concerted effort" to earn a greater degree of responsibility for community pharmacies.

Earlier this month, Mr Lansley's white paper caused controversy when it was revealed primary care trusts and strategic authorities could be abolished altogether within the next five years.

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