The Pharmaceutical Journal Vol 266 No 7151 p784-787
June 9, 2001

  Code of Ethics
  RPM
  Medicines promotion
  Parallel imports
  Patient packs
  Disillusioned youth
  Veterinary medicines
  Travel medicine
  Nurse prescribing
  Working conditions
  Mutual recognition
  Disinfection techniques

Travel medicine

Extra caution required

From Dr L. Goodyer, MRPharmS

I did not hear the BBC radio programme referred to by Stephanie Barnes (PJ, April 28, p576) regarding her concern that Roger Odd had not represented the community pharmacist very well in providing malaria advice. It is my impression that most pharmacists are aware of the need to check sources other than the British National Formulary, but this may not always be done. I would urge extra caution regarding advice on trips to sub-Saharan Africa, the Amazon and parts of South East Asia.

The Scottish website www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk contains some excellent maps showing malaria distribution in individual countries. It is a great shame that the full Travax programme is not provided free of charge to pharmacists.

In any case, internet access within community pharmacies will soon be an imperative for this and other types of information that needs continual updating.

On a more general note, perhaps the Royal Pharmaceutical Society should consider setting up interest groups in a range of clinical specialties. This would be particularly useful to support and promote medicines management or other local pharmaceutical services, as well as providing a resource of identifiable experts.

Larry Goodyer
Head of Pharmacy Practice Group
Department of Pharmacy
King’s College London

Previous Topic (Veterinary medicines)
Next Topic (Nurse prescribing)
Send your letter to The Editor