A hearing to determine whether Whitlawburn would get a pharmacy was scrapped just days before it was due to go ahead.
The application from David Dryden and Michael Balmer was supposed to be heard by a National Appeal Panel (NAP) on March 12.
But interim chair of the panel, J Michael D Graham, has now referred the application back to a Pharmacy Practices Committee (PPC).
The news will be a major blow to those who want to see a chemist open in Whitlawburn. A PPC, which is convened by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, knocked the same application back last year.
The move came after a letter from Community Pharmacy Scotland - who represent community pharmacy owners - was sent to the NAP saying there was no grounds for an appeal.
The NAP originally granted the appeal due to a “breach of natural justice” at the last hearing, but CPS claimed that was a “procedural defect” which should be referred back to the board rather than grounds for an appeal.
Mr Graham agreed and a brand new PPC will now be convened to hear the case.
A spokesman for Community Pharmacy Scotland said: “Community Pharmacy Scotland wrote to the chair of the National Appeal Panel and asked him to consider whether they wished to proceed along the lines they were doing.
“We were looking to ensure the regulations and powers contained within them (NAP) were applied correctly.”
The move was slammed by supporters of the pharmacy as well as the applicants.
Mr Dryden said: “To say we were disappointed that the hearing was cancelled just a few days before it was supposed to take place is an understatement.
“We had put in a massive amount of time and effort and had driven through to Edinburgh just 48 hours before to hand in our evidence. Unfortunately we are still not clear when our application will be determined and we face a period of uncertainty.
“However, the objective remains unchanged and we will continue to work towards bringing a pharmacy to the people of Whitlawburn.”
James Kelly MSP added: “It’s disappointing the appeal will not now go ahead.
“The hearing will now be convened by the health board panel and I, along with the people of Whitlawburn, will be strongly supporting the application being accepted.
“It’s regrettable the NAP has reversed its original decision to look at the application and questions need to be asked as too how it reached that decision.”
