From Mr F. R. Bayliss, MRPharmS
SIR,—I am concerned about the relentless push to have PC4 available over-the-counter in pharmacies. Those keen advocates of the scheme have failed to appreciate the more serious ramifications.
We do not have access to patients' medical records, and details of drugs prescribed on our computer records may not be complete. The patient wanting a morning-after pill may not be completely truthful when answering the "20 questions" provided.
How do we prove a person's age? What happens when a person with learning difficulties is brought in by a social worker? The patient in that case may not be capable of making a reasoned decision.
Where will the 20 questions be asked? In front of all the other customers? Even if there is access to a private consulting room, the interview would have to take place (in my case) in the presence of a female member of staff, for my own safety. Who will supervise the dispensary in the pharmacist's absence?
A girl who wants to be sexually active at a young age needs proper advice on contraception from a clinic. If the Government feels the need to widen the availability of that advice, it must pay for the clinics to be open longer hours and not expect us to hold the baby on Saturday afternoons and other such times when we are available and they are not.
Finally, I think it is high time that society stopped bending over backwards to pander to the whims of irresponsible, feckless behaviour. Schoolgirls of 12 and 13 should be encouraged to make better use of their leisure time, instead of jumping into bed with all and sundry. What has happened to parental discipline?
F. R. Bayliss
Cuckfield, West Sussex