The Pharmaceutical
Journal Vol 266 No 7151 p784-787
June 9, 2001
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The Pharmaceutical
Journal Vol 266 No 7151 p784-787 |
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Code of Ethics |
Medicines promotion (2 letters)Control requiredFrom Dr B. P. Curwain, MRPharmS The National Pharmaceutical Association is quite right to call for a review of the law and guidelines governing reclassification of P medicines to GSL status (PJ, June 2, p736). The fact that ibuprofen can now be sold in sweetshops is disturbing in the light of the knowledge that about 2,000 people per year die in this country as a result of taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, of which ibuprofen is one. I say this even though it is possible that the inappropriate consumption of confectionery kills considerably more individuals (diabetes, obesity) and we should maybe concentrate on addressing this. Whatever our views on confectionery, and to whichever code of ethics we happen to be referring, a “three for two” offer on packs of 96 Nurofen is clearly inappropriate on safety grounds. Some sensible mechanism has to be found to stop it, since the businessmen (I did not say pharmacists) involved clearly require control. Brian Curwain Regardless of public welfareFrom Mr G. A. Fox, MRPharmS I prefer generic and small packs for over-the-counter sales and do not wholly oppose the loss of resale price maintenance on proprietary medicines. With its loss, supermarkets have competed and reduced prices giving immediate benefits to the public. No doubt, in the long term their choice will be restricted. How inappropriate, how-ever, for a pharmacy chain like Boots to offer “three for two” promotions across a wide range of medicines — greedily promoting sales regardless of public welfare by encouraging the overuse of medicines. Gerald Fox |
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