From Mr D. K. Duggal, MRPharmS
SIR,-What short memories you have (Wilkommen in Wien, PJ, February 26, p315). It is not so long ago when the former apartheid regime of South Africa was also isolated by the world, at the material expense but, crucially, with the consent of the African National Congress, because of the extreme views held by the government - the point being that it is not valid to suggest that the congress should go ahead in Austria as it will somehow advantage developing nations whose own people would be disadvantaged by the racist views of the Freedom party. It is noteworthy to see that the organisers have decided to go ahead to prevent emotional damage to themselves - well that is OK then.
You are naive if you believe that "the opportunity to demonstrate to Austria's extremists that people of all nations can work together" will be taken as anything other than our international profession's endorsement of the Freedom party.
The media relations machine will relish the arrival of the congress as the bestowing of a clean bill of health at a time when most other professions are distancing themselves and cancelling engagements.
Finally, I would like to know whether any of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's reserves or other funds made up from our registration fees have been involved in the staging of this congress and the process for redressing this, as I, as a health care professional working to reduce the threat to society by disease, do not wish my money to be used in this manner and will not fund the growth of further threats to people.
Dipak Duggal
London N8
The conference is being organised by the International Pharmaceutical Federation, using its own resources.-EDITOR.