From Mr W. T. Arbon, MRPharmS
SIR,-Mr Howell's plea (PJ, April 22, p619) that the Society should look after the welfare of members has my full support.
However, I would point out that, under the European Working Time Regulations, every adult worker is entitled to an uninterrupted rest of at least 20 minutes, if their daily working time is more than six hours and that this time may be spent away from the work station. (Surely a locum pharmacist is covered by the definition of an adult worker?)
I would have thought that any employer, superintendent pharmacist or area manager who required a pharmacist under his or her direction to work through this rest time would experience great difficulty in defending a charge of serious professional misconduct if a complaint were brought against them.
Warwick Arbon
Polegate, East Sussex