From Mr J. T. Armstrong, MRPharmS, and Mr M. Knowles, MRPharmS
SIR,-The hospital pharmacy managers within the South Eastern region were pleased to see the Royal Pharmaceutical Society publish guidance (PJ, March 11, p401) regarding the requirement to provide patient information leaflets. We fully support the objective of the EU directive in trying to ensure that patients receive full information about their medication. However, we remain very concerned about the risk that trusts and their pharmacists may face as a result of being unable fully to comply with the directive. In our view, however, the latest statement is not helpful in clarifying that risk.
We note there is no reference to discharge medication where hospitals have the greatest difficulty in providing leaflets. Both the Society and the Department of Health must be aware that it is not practical for hospital pharmacists to ensure patients receive PILs unless we dispense original packs. Cox, one of the major generics manufacturers, has written indicating that it will not provide spare leaflets because it says the concept of patient packs is that they should not be broken.
Unfortunately, the position of the Department regarding patient packs appears ambiguous, since, under the pharmaceutical regulations, there remains in the community a requirement to issue quantities other than original packs if these are prescribed. As hospital managers, we urge that the present legal position be clarified. We want the Department to move forward, incorporating the views of primary care groups and trusts, to implement the routine dispensing of patient packs from hospitals by promoting the necessary budget changes.
Jim Armstrong
Director of Pharmacy, Medway NHS Trust, Medway Maritime Hospital, Gillingham, Kent
Martin Knowles
Regional QC Pharmacist, Guy's Hospital, London