From Mr C. Morris, MRPharmS
SIR,—I was interested to read the article "Majority of pharmacists favour OTC emergency contraception" (PJ, October 23, p665). I did a few little sums after reading 3,999 survey forms were sent, 75 per cent agreed with supplying PC4 but only 1,543 answers were received.
Seventy-five per cent of 1,543 is 1,157.25 so I gave the benefit of the doubt and said 1,158. Of the questionnaires sent out this figure is 28.95 per cent.
I know a number of independent pharmacists who do not have time to read any "junk mail" so anything which is not legally binding gets thrown in the bin. I also know some that baulk at the idea of filling out any kind of survey, but I know several more that, given a survey on a subject matter they do not agree with immediately, bin the said survey.
I would say that part of the lack of response would be due to indifference through pressure of work but some may also have been "voting with their feet".
Why don't we poll all parties involved - I, as a locum, did not receive a survey form - and inform recipients that decisions may be made according to the replies received. We may achieve a similar lacklustre response but at least we would have been warned.
I have been in print before with the argument over the perceived benefit of reducing unwanted pregnancies so I will not repeat myself. As to the other perceived benefits, few of the pharmacies I work in have a really confidential area for customer consultations. There goes confidentiality and anonymity! As to raising the profile of pharmacists, I have been qualified for only five years but I have lost count of the number of times I have been asked for PC4s off prescription. In my experience, the pharmacist is the first person asked.
Let us raise pharmacy's profile by standing up for ourselves and making ourselves heard and not by treating a symptom of the appalling state of our Society.
Chris Morris
Newquay, Cornwall