From Mr S. Green, MRPharmS
SIR,—I strongly applaud the Government’s new plan for pharmacy (PJ,
September 16, p384).
It is pleasing to have a Government that is so forward thinking and supportive
of the profession. This plan is an open door for the profession to march through
and establish itself as the true experts in primary care and medicines management.
Forward thinking pharmacists will see numerous opportunities for professional
satisfaction and business advancement. For many it will fulfil a dream to be
paid for professional activities, such as ensuring concordance and reducing
waste, rather than for selling toilet rolls.
However, for the profession to take full advantage of this plan, a change in
Society “law” needs to take place. Once a final check of dispensed
prescription items has taken place and the item has been packed, that item should
be allowed to be given out to the patient whether or not the pharmacist is on
the premises. This would allow pharmacists to leave the premises and carry out
other professional duties.
Patients entering the pharmacy while the pharmacist is meeting general practitioners
or visiting the elderly could be given a time when their prescription would
be ready or could be offered a medicine from the growing range of over-the-counter
products. Dispensing should always be the core activity of community pharmacists
but it should not remain the ball and chain stopping the experts from really
influencing patient care.
Shaun Green
Exeter,
Devon