Balmullo will remain the largest community in Fife not to have its own pharmacy after the latest attempt to open a dispensary was rejected.
NHS Fife rejected proposals to establish a pharmacy in the village, claiming there is adequate provision close by.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the health board’s pharmacy practices committee, despite a long-running community campaign for its own service
Councillor Tim Brett said: “Balmullo is the largest community in Fife that does not have its own pharmacy.
“I’m disappointed as there is large support in Balmullo and at the moment people are having to go to Leuchars or St Andrews.
“It is not a problem if you have your own transport but it is more difficult if you do not. This effort has been going on for five years now.”
Applicant Raymond Kelly had hoped to open a pharmacy in the GP surgery on Pitcairn Drive.
Mr Kelly said residents had to travel to St Andrews or Leuchars to collect prescriptions and there was widespread support for a local service.
An application was previously rejected in 2013, with then health minister Alex Neil being quizzed in the Scottish Parliament about provision of rural dispensaries.
Members of the pharmacy practices committee acknowledged that while there is a “reasonable” distance for residents to travel, there are sufficient bus links for those who do not own a car.
They added that there had not been a significant enough population growth to reconsider the decision from three years ago.
A spokesman for NHS Fife said: “The committee were required to determine whether the granting of the application was necessary or desirable to secure the adequate provision of pharmaceutical services in the area.
“Members of the committee considered the proposal and voted unanimously to reject the application; however, the applicant is entitled to appeal this decision.”
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