From Mr R. I. Dunkley, MRPharmS
SIR,—As one passes through the pharmaceutical community, one hears such comments as, "What have they [the Council] done for us?" "Why do we have to pay such exhorbitant fees, getting only The Journal in return?", "Why bother voting, they are all the same".
This to me, is indicative of a membership that has lost confidence in its governing body. It is borne out by the percentage of pharmacists voting in the annual election — the lowest figure for years. If the Council could only give the profession a lead, tell us where we are going, then we would be a better, stronger body, more able to take our rightful place in the primary health care team, instead of being some bit player receiving the crumbs from the health care table.
Regional representation is a good idea. Make some (half?) Council members accountable to the electorate on a regional basis, then at least members at the grass roots can put a name to a face, because they will have elected them.
The problem is the apathy mentioned by Mrs Haynes in her letter to The Journal of September 11 (p379). However, the pharmacists of my generation and older who in general have "apathetic" stamped across their foreheads, are on their way out. A wind of change is blowing through pharmacy — younger, more active pharmacists are beginning to make their presence felt. The days of the Council in its present form, with its games of musical chairs, are numbered.
Bob Dunkley
Dewsbury