From Mr H. Argomandkhah, MRPharmS
SIR,-I was amazed at the response by Mr David Kent (PJ, March 4, p370) to my support for constructive consultation on algorithms to support over-the-counter prescribing.
What I commented on in my letter (PJ, February 26, p329) was the way the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee had responded to a consultation paper prepared by the Practice Committee of the Society. This paper was the result of the current Government's drive for consistent clinical decisions.
The Council realises that professionals must be the ultimate decision-makers when making a clinical judgment. However, algorithms were seen as a way to help the professional be consistent when making choices.
Mr Kent, I myself and all my colleagues working in community practice exercise our professional judgments every day of the week. However, if we aspire to higher things and wish to become involved in pharmacist prescribing and medicines management, then we need to demonstrate that, as professionals, we are capable of making consistent clinical decisions.
I hope Mr Kent can now see the logic behind the consultation. The algorithms may not be the solution, but if we do not ask we will not be able to find the ideal solution.
Hassan Argomandkhah
Liverpool