From Mr R. Jones, MRPharmS
SIR,—I am very concerned at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s apparent
lack of action over the review of veterinary medicines that is under way at
present (PJ, November 4, p671).
This is a massive opportunity for pharmacy. It could release many products from
the prescription-only medicine category and even provide veterinary prescriptions
for dispensing.
In rural areas it could safeguard pharmaceutical services and make the pharmacy
the centre of human and veterinary medicines. In urban areas it would open up
whole new product ranges for companion animals.
This review is well highlighted in the farming press but pharmacy appears to
be ignoring it. Where is the vision from our leaders?
We need Lambeth to put a task force together to make sure we grasp this opportunity
and finally release the potential for all medicines in pharmacy.
Rod Jones
Hay on Wye, Herefordshire
Ms LIZ GRIFFITHS (secretary, Veterinary Pharmacists Group) responds:
The Society wishes to assure its members that it views the current consultation
as a great opportunity for pharmacy. The Veterinary Pharmacists Group dedicated
its entire annual conference this year to the review. Key people from all the
interested parties were invited to speak. They included the immediate past president
of the British Veterinary Association, the director of the National Office of
Animal Health, a representative from the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, and
Sir John Marsh, the chairman of the review group. All VPG members received an
invitation to this conference and thereby the opportunity to contribute to this
extremely important debate. I have since received a personal letter of thanks
from Sir John, who found the weekend very informative and valuable.
The Society arranged a visit for the independent review group to an agricultural
and veterinary pharmacy, where the advantages of greater pharmacy involvement
were stressed. The Society has formally presented its arguments to the BVA and
the NOAH annual conferences. The comments arising from these will inform the
Society’s response.
Members of the VPG committee, who represent the interests of the group, have
been given the opportunity to submit their views, comments and evidence. The
Society has liaised with the National Pharmaceutical Association, which will
also be submitting a separate response on behalf of pharmacy. Following the
submission of its written response by the end of November, the Society will
be offering verbal evidence to the review group in December.