As my reply of 4 March 2004 mentioned, the pharmacy review group, the report of which was published in February 2004, considered the issue of the derogation. I also stated that I am continuing to examine the complex legal and public health issues in the group's recommendations, including the use of the derogation. The pharmacy review group recommended that the use of the EU derogation should continue until a pharmacy Act is in place — and then be discontinued — and that such an Act should be in place within 18 months. In the context of the release of the pharmacy review group's report in February, I intend going to Government soon with a memorandum on the report's recommendations.