From Mr K. W. Youings, FRPharmS
SIR,—Mr Cox (PJ, September 4, p382) is enthusiastic about regional election of Council members, as indeed have been many pharmacists from time to time over the 60 years since my name went on to the Register. Mr Cox makes at least one unwarranted assumption — that there is someone in every region with the interest, ability and availability to be a conscientious and effective Member of Council. Many of us know from experience that regional representation frequently produces mediocre or worse candidates. It effectively prevents two or more candidates from the same region serving at the same time. I question that our Council would have been better served by only having a Darling/Kerr alternative instead of having their joint knowledge and expertise. There must be scores of similar examples, but I quote only from my experience as a former Member of Council.
Pharmacy will get the Council it deserves when the branch system and the Council elections receive the support they deserve.
Ken Youings
Castle Cary, Somerset