From Mr H. Argomandkhah, MRPharmS
SIR,—Is it any wonder that the politicians at the Department of Health ignore the contribution pharmacy can make to the health of the nation, time after time.
Like you, I was also amazed by both the tone and the way Mr Dove (chairman of the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee) rejected the consultation by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain on the possible use of algorithms to support over-the-counter prescribing by community pharmacists (PJ, February 19, pp279 and 280).
Yet again, one pharmacy body is criticising another. After all, the Society was only seeking their views. The rejection in itself will not be the end of the matter. However, a more constructive approach could bear fruits.
As long as our pharmaceutical bodies continue to reject proposals without constructive dialogue while trying to score points, the policy makers at the Department of Health will continue to ignore pharmacies and pharmacists working within them in preference to other professionals to achieve their objectives.
Is it any wonder that we are still waiting for the community pharmacy strategy to be announced by a Health Secretary.
Hassan Argomandkhah
Liverpool