From Mr P. B. Modasia, MRPharmS
SIR,—Mr Khan (PJ, August 7, p200) is correct that there are “substandard” locums working through various locum agencies which seem to have mushroomed lately. These agencies seem to have become the driving factor in the increase in locum rates in order to recruit locum pharmacists on to their books. The current locum rate is between £16 and £20 per hour plus travelling expenses.
From the employer’s point of view it seems these figures are unsustainable because the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee has not managed to settle with the National Health Service Executive at such rates. Indeed, the payments to pharmacy contractors are more akin to rates paid to a technician. How can contractors afford to pay such amounts? These locum rates are being applied to not only substandard locums but also to newly qualified pharmacists who usually have no experience on buying from best sources, nor do they know about proper endorsing, especially of Category D items. Often, proprietary medicines are dispensed against generic prescriptions and losses are made under Drug Tariff Part VIII. Do we charge the agency for losses generated by locums?
Paresh Modasia
London SW19