From Ms E. R. Mills, MRPharmS
SIR,—I read with some concern the complaints of Mr Simner regarding the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's support for the Community Pharmacy Action Group's lobby in favour of retail price maintenance (PJ, November 25, p787).
While it is predictable that the vice-president of Superdrug.com would condemn such actions, it is mistaken of him to suggest that the abolition of RPM would have "little resonance for the vast majority of [the Society's] members ".
The capital power of companies such as Superdrug.com will doubtless allow them to continue unscathed, but for smaller independent pharmacies the substantial cut in income may be irreparably damaging.
Local pharmacies represent a vital element in the community and maintain the positive image of pharmacy as a key link in the primary health care chain. Without the stable economic base that RPM provides, their involvement in more innovative and
experimental areas of the profession (something Mr Simner is rightly vocal in supporting) would be severely prejudiced. The closure of many local pharmacies would, of course, result in a significant cut in the employment opportunities available to our colleagues, particularly those who do not wish to work in the major high street stores.
Mr Simner holds a comfortable position with one of the largest chains in Britain. For him to dismiss the Society's support of its smaller members is to forget one of the key reasons for its existence.
Elizabeth Mills London NW1