Behind the scenes moves to merge the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee and the National Pharmaceutical Association hit a major obstacle last week. The PSNC voted against the proposal by a margin of 15 to six. Four members abstained. The matter has yet to be formally considered by the NPA board, but, with the PSNC opposed, any merger is effectively ruled out.
Those who supported a merger, and they included the chairman of the PSNC, Mr Wally Dove, felt that the bodies would be more effective combined than separate. But they were not been able to quell fears that the position of independent contractors would be greatly compromised in such an arrangement.
The NPA was linked with the negotiating committee in the past. The Central NHS (Chemist Contractors) Committee was run by the NPA and the NPA's secretary was the secretary of the Central NHS Committee. The two separated in the mid 1970s and the committee changed its name to the one in use today.
The PSNC is proceeding with plans to streamline its operations. These could lead to a change in the office of chairman and the structures of subcommittees.