From Dr N. D. Wood, MRPharmS
SIR,-The unsatisfactory replacement co-title for Martindale is "The complete drug reference" instead of "The Extra Pharmacopoeia".
The latter title implied status. Also, for citation purposes, more hits are obtained via an internet search engine using "Martindale" and "pharmacopoeia" than with "Martindale" and any of the new titular words.
The name change was made due to a perceived lesser need for physical science data.
As most British Pharmacopoeia monographs for ingredients are subservient to the European Pharmacopoeia, why not call it the "Ex-British Pharmacopoeia"? Analogously, how many formulations remain in the British National Formulary? What about calling it "The (handy) pocket drug guide"?
Nicholas D. Wood
London SW14