From Mr A. M. Cairns, MRPharmS
SIR,-I can understand the frustration voiced by David Evans in his letter (PJ, May 13, p725) where he laments the apparent intransigence of the United Kingdom authorities in not allowing pharmacists to sell certain popular veterinary medicines available through pharmacy in the Republic of Ireland.
The Veterinary Pharmacists Group committee is totally behind Mr Evans's plea for more veterinary medicines to be classified P. He mentions the pet flea treatment, Program. It is likely that few people (even veterinary surgeons) would confront pharmacists with the suggestion that they would be unable to handle the sale of such a product effectively and well.
The fact is that the perception of manufacturers that very few community pharmacists sell pet medicines persuades them that there is no commercial benefit in classifying a product like Program as P. It is not therefore a question of the competence of pharmacists; it is a question of perceived availability.
This, we believe, is a misperception. There are 12,000 pharmacies on UK high streets all manned full-time by pharmacists who are trained medicines managers and who could quickly assimilate the additional training needed to deal with these products.
Recognising the chicken and egg situation here, the Society has stated a clear policy of supporting community pharmacists who wish to sell pet medicines in order to get these numbers increased. I suggest that as many community pharmacists as possible write to the group secretary Liz Griffiths, at Lambeth, and ask for information about the strategy and the support available.
The review currently being carried out by the Government on the dispensing of medicines by veterinary surgeons is a clear pointer that pharmacists may be expected to take a more active part in the distribution of veterinary medicines. The group committee has requested that a pharmacist be appointed to the review body.
Meanwhile, Mr Evans, it looks as if we have something to learn from our Irish colleagues.
Andrew Cairns
Chairman, Veterinary Pharmacists Group, Royal Pharmaceutical Society