From Mr M. P. Smith, MRPharmS
SIR,—I have been requested by a local practice to supply information
which could be used in counselling patients when prescribing the new anti-smoking
product Zyban. Using the power of the internet, I found the zyban website (www.Zyban.com).
I downloaded the product information, all 20 sheets of it, which included an
“Information for the patient” section. I supplied this information
to the practice. Great! Then I thought, I wonder if this information is only
for the American market?
I approached the medical information department of Glaxo UK and was not surprised
to be told this was the case. What did surprise and annoy me was that there
is a site in the UK with medical information (www.zyban.
co.uk), but it is only for medical staff; it can only be accessed by entering
a General Medical Council number. I explained that I was a pharmacist being
asked for advice — advice which is available to anyone in the US.
It seems that Glaxo UK considers pharmacists and their role in providing advice
to other health care professionals of no importance.
M. P. Smith
Hull