From Mr D. F. Brint, MRPharmS
SIR,—I note from recent newspaper reports that an official Government committee has decided that there is not enough evidence to support claims that the health of thousands of farmers has been damaged by exposure to organophosphorous sheep dips. I doubt that any pharmacist would be comfortable with this opinion.
Here is an opportunity for the Society, representing pharmacists as the nation's drug experts, to issue a statement to the media pointing out the toxic properties of organophosphorus compounds to living organisms from insects, through fish to mammals.
We do not always have to look for new roles for pharmacists. We should also put effort into a traditional role as experts on medicines and poisons.
Dennis Brint
Clevedon, Somerset