From Mr J. A. Tweed, MRPharmS
SIR,—I read with amazement the "Broad Spectrum" article from John Wilson (PJ, October 30, p711) and I am at a loss as to the point of this work. It reminded me of "Rambling Sid" of Round the Horne fame.
First the author "has a go" at the pharmaceutical industry, then Relenza, then new drugs and then moves on to cheap fruit and vegetables and groceries.
The pharmaceutical industry is important to the economy of this country and is a net exporter, so bringing in substantial profit to us.
The National Health Service is a monopsony and one company has threatened to move its research base out of the country and not the industry as a whole, as I understand it.
We then read of a fear that Relenza might produce a high workload for community pharmacies (and presumably, profits); then we are asked why do we need new drugs at all? Well, let me tell Mr Wilson that if he has relatives or friends suffering from a serious or currently incurable illness, they need new drugs. I have not seen too much in the way of new drugs coming from sources other than the pharmaceutical industry. Without new drugs, perhaps we will not need pharmacists?
I take issue with the statement that "many drugs are withdrawn quickly for various reasons". In my experience few drugs, having obtained marketing approval, have needed to be withdrawn. Those drugs that needed withdrawing were dealt with speedily and responsibly by the manufacturers.
Where has the author been, in these days of evidence-based medicine, to quote the anecdote on wound healing? He believes this and not the evidence from the Relenza trials? Well, well.
If the author were to go into the street markets, which abound in the poorer areas (as well as other areas), he would find abundant fruit and vegetables at prices much lower than in the supermarkets. These markets are well served, in the main, by public transport. Incidentally, I wonder if the so-called co-operatives might adversely affect the trade of the greengrocers' shops in the neighbourhood?
I find it difficult to believe that having no milk on a Saturday morning, due to poor planning, really justifies trading in groceries - and what happens on Saturday afternoon?
Yes, confirm the public's view of pharmacy by selling groceries, if that is what Mr Wilson wants, but is he prepared to live with the consequences?
Not for me thank you.
Jack Tweed
Burton Joyce, Nottingham