From Mr C. Friedland, MRPharmS
SIR,—Your report of the meeting at which Graham Phillips was able to question Prime Minister Tony Blair (PJ, November 25, p776) was exciting in that a community pharmacist had enthused his MP to the level where he was able to gain access to the most influential politician in the country. However, asking the Prime Minister to place the fate of community pharmacy in the combined hands of the Department of Health and the Department of Trade and Industry is somewhat akin to asking the cannibals to facilitate the role of the missionaries! The DTI has clearly demonstrated its commitment to end what it regards as monopolistic or restrictive practices. Neither resale price maintenance nor the restriction of dispensing contracts would enjoy an improved chance of survival if the DTI had carte blanche with the community pharmacy agenda. And the rumour that the DoH would dearly like to see the numbers of community pharmacies reduced has been given real credence among the chattering pharmacopolitical classes over a long period. In his answer, the Prime Minister "recognised the problem "(could that be us?) and, without explanation, agreed to "take it away and work on it”. I cannot be sure of the process, but I sincerely hope that we recognise what comes out of the other end.
Colin Friedland Welwyn, Hertfordshire