From Mr N. J. M. Engineer, MRPharmS
SIR,—I understand that some 22 per cent of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s
membership are from ethnic minorities (mainly Asian and African). I note with
interest that none of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society inspectors is from these
communities.
It could be that pharmacists from ethnic minorities do not apply for such positions
when advertised. It could also be that the Society has done nothing to encourage
such individuals to join the inspectorate.
Public service bodies, including the police, the army and the civil service
(to name but a few) and also many private sector companies actively encourage
recruitment from ethnic minorities. Clearly, the Society does not operate this
policy and it is important that such measures be implemented urgently.
Pharmacy inspectors from minority backgrounds would assist fellow members because
they would be in a better position to understand cultural and complex ethnic
difficulties that members may face during their professional working life.
Navin Engineer
Weybridge,
Surrey
Mr STEVE LUTENER (head of pharmacy law, Royal Pharmaceutical Society) replies: The correspondence is based upon information which is not correct. Two of the last four appointments of inspectors have been of pharmacists from ethnic minorities.