The National Pharmaceutical Association has decided that it will not offer professional indemnity insurance for the distance selling of medicines over the internet.
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The NPA wants the legal position of internet pharmacy services in the United Kingdom clarified before it offers indemnity cover. It also wants a ban on internet medicines sales in Europe |
Other matters discussed at the board's January meeting are detailed below.
E-commerce The association continued to stand by the Pharmaceutical Group of the European Union's call for a ban at European level on the sale of medicines over the internet. The NPA recognised the importance of e-commerce in the worldwide market and the benefits that information technology could bring, but expressed concern over the public safety issues that accompany the distance marketing and selling of medicines. The NPA emphasised that medicines were not ordinary items of commerce and called for regulations to maintain a safe, controlled environment to protect customers.
Source Informatics The board learned that the Source Informatics appeal against the High Court decision of Mr Justice Latham on the use of anonymised patient data had been successful (PJ, January 1, p5). The NPA had intervened in the appeal to ensure that the wider pharmacy issues were taken into account over and above the commercial aspects of data disclosure. The Department of Health had petitioned the House of Lords for leave to appeal.
Veterinary products The board welcomed changes to the proposed Veterinary Medicinal Products Regulations announced by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (PJ, January 8, p46). The VMD's original set of proposals required pharmacies to keep records of sales of veterinary medicinal products for pets. The NPA had expressed concern over the practicalities of complying with these regulations. If the regulations had been implemented, an anomaly would have existed with absurd consequences - for example, when dealing with a parent requesting threadworm treatment for both their child and pet in one consultation, the pharmacist would have been required to record personal details for the pet's, but not the child's medicine.
As a result of the consultation exercise, the VMD had decided to redraft the regulations so that they would apply to the sale of pharmacy and pharmacy and merchants list medicines for food-producing animals only and will not impose any record-keeping requirements for the sale of medicines for pets.
Deprived neighbourhoods The association had responded to a report from the Department of Health's policy action team, PAT 13, on improving shopping access in deprived areas. In its response, the NPA detailed the important role that pharmacy played within deprived areas, both as an important source of health education and health care support and as a potential local employer.
The NPA also highlighted the unique nature of pharmacy businesses in deprived areas. Low over-the-counter medicine sales meant a greater reliance on National Health Service income together with the extra burden of security in pharmacies which stored Controlled Drugs. The NPA asked that any measures to assist retailers in such areas should take account of these aspects unique to pharmacy.
The association emphasised that there were still deprived areas with no pharmaceutical service and urged the Department to develop a package of support that would encourage pharmacists to invest in business in such areas. The NPA advised approaching with caution the report's suggestion that pharmacies and surgeries be located together. This could take the pharmacy away from the shopping parades and thus remove the support that a pharmacy gave to other retailers in the parade.
NHS Direct guide The association was encouraging members to stock the new NHS Direct health care guide (PJ, December 11, 1999, p930). At present, the guide is available solely through community pharmacies and represents an important element of the NHS Direct network.
All-Party Pharmacy Group The board received news of the inaugural meeting of the All-Party Pharmacy Group, which took place at the Department of Health on December 7, 1999 (PJ, December 11, 1999, p931). To date, over 150 Members of Parliament had pledged support to the group.
The All-Party Pharmacy Group would meet again on February 2 when journalist Polly Toynbee would be speaking on emergency contraception.
Mepyramine maleate The NPA expressed its concern over the Medicine Control Agency's proposal to reclassify the topical antihistamine mepyramine maleate. The MCA proposed to allow mepyramine maleate with a maximum strength of 2 per cent and a maximum pack size of 25g to be sold or supplied as a general sale medicine for external use for adults and children aged 2 years old and over. The association argued that there was little evidence that mepyramine maleate was the most effective product for the treatment of insect bites, stings and nettle rash. To make it more widely available could delay patients in getting the most effective treatment.
Ergonomics The NPA had begun to implement findings from an ergonomic study commissioned by the association in the autumn of 1999. Guidance leaflets for members based on the study's findings have been produced. Subjects covered include the use of information technology equipment, bench heights, seating and standing arrangements. The board felt that there was a need for the use of leaning aids within dispensaries. Leaning aids enable users to rest at an angle when standing. The board has agreed to recommend a lightweight and adjustable model produced by Voko (UK) Ltd.