Glasgow-based firm Levenbrae Ltd applied to open a pharmacy in the village of Leuchars last year. Such a move could have forced local practices to quit dispensing.

But Fife Health Board received more than 150 letters and a 2,000-signature petition urging it to turn down the application.

It did so, on the grounds that the proposed premises - a former post office - were unsuitable.

Just three weeks later, however, a second bid has materialised. This also proposes the post office as a site.

The Dundee Courier reported that the second bid comes from Fraser McPherson and Partners, which has the same registered address as Levenbrae in Greenock.

Healthcare Republic was unable to find a firm of that name listed at Companies House or any web presence for it.

Gordon Dykes, who acted as an agent for Levenbrae during its bid, said there was no connection between the two firms.

Alan Kennedy, a patient in Leuchars who campaigned against the new pharmacy, described the fresh bid as ‘a complete waste of public money’.

‘If the board views it with the same attention to detail as it did the first one,’ he said, ‘surely it’ll come to the same conclusion.’

From 1 July, new rules will require health boards to take account of public opinion when considering pharmacy bids.

jonn.elledge@haymarket.com

• Read next week’s GP dated 10 July for the full version of this story.

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