From Mr B. Frith, MRPharmS
SIR,-Recently I dispensed a prescription for a young boy. It was for trimethoprim suspension. The general practitioner had been advised that trimethoprim was the appropriate antibiotic. On taking the medicine home, the mother read the patient information leaflet and discovered that trimethoprim could give rise to aseptic meningitis.
It occurred to me that this was not Ronseal and it was not guaranteed to do exactly what it says on the can. No amount of reassurance would persuade the mother to use the preparation. A subsequent prescription for amoxycillin was issued.
Can the powers that be please consider the information contained on patient leaflets or do I detect an element of legal defensiveness? No doubt everything is laid down by statute but things are far from satisfactory.
Bob Frith
Chatham, Kent