From D. K. Rayner, MRPharmS
SIR,-"Society tells Prime Minister how pharmacists can help meet his NHS challenges" (PJ, April 22, p611). May I take issue with you in your regular use of the words "the Society" in such a context and point out that the Society is by definition the whole of its governing body together with its total membership. Therefore, the "Society" did not and could not have given the PM such a message.
The Council, as the governing body, may have given such a message, or one or more of its officers might have done so. We as a "Society" most certainly did not.
Perhaps in future you may wish to keep this in mind and be specific as to who said what and to whom. There are many utterances made by both the Council and its officials in their regular parlance with others, often in terms with which we, the grassroots members, would entirely disagree.
D. K. Rayner
Bradford, West Midlands
The Society is comprised of its members. The elected Council directs and manages the affairs of the Society on behalf of its members. An official communication to the Prime Minister that is written within Council policy and represents the Council's views can reasonably be described as being from the Society.-EDITOR.