The Pharmaceutical Journal Vol 266 No 7154 p888-891
June 30, 2001

  Medicines promotions
  Primary care pharmacy
  Diabetes
  Veterinary medicines
  Mutual recognition
  Code of Ethics
  Checking technicians
  Disillusioned youth
  Martindale

Disillusioned youth

Pharmacy could be so much more

From Mr B. Hewitt, MRPharmS

May I thank all who have written on each side of the debate on disillusioned young pharmacists. The level of response indicates that this is an area of genuine interest and concern within the profession. However, it does concern me that some have missed the point of my first letter (PJ, May 26, p719).

I regret that Marilyn Highsted (PJ, June 9, p786) has taken offence. I greatly value the support of dispensers. Without them I suspect many pharmacies would be completely inoperable for the sole pharmacist. However, just as she is horrified at the lack of knowledge of some pharmacists, it is true that some (a minority, thankfully) dispensers can indeed hamper the pharmacist they are there to help. It concerns me that patients are turning to a dispenser for advice rather than a pharmacist. It is a pharmacist’s place and responsibility to give advice, whereas a dispenser, as the name implies, should allow them time to do this by covering the dispensing desk.

Taylor and Harding’s “Broad Spectrum” article (PJ, June 9, p783) highlighted my concern perfectly. It is reassuring to see people of their stature within the health care profession, who understand why so many graduates are disillusioned and cynical about the profession. Indeed, they are aware of what other correspondents seem painfully unaware of, in that the “New Pharmacy” is ill-defined, and certainly not widespread.

A division exists in community pharmacy. First there are the low-dispensing, adequately staffed, forward-thinking pharmacies that encourage local health care initiatives, where indeed the profession is what one makes of it. Secondly, there are the understaffed “prescription factories”, where no one can dispense or check except the lone pharmacist. Here, there is no time to make more of the job than what it is — mindless assembly and packing. Here employers often just assess on accuracy and speed.

Many graduates leave university with crippling debt and, yes, do accept the first job offered. I want to warn new pharmacists that not all is how it appears to be through the rose-tinted spectacles that university shows you of life as a pharmacist. I hope more of the new generation will hold out for better remuneration, working hours, lunch and tea-breaks, so all may benefit from improved working conditions.

Knowledge is power, but ignorance is bliss — if I felt much of what I have learnt was not so irrelevant for my job, I am sure my feelings would be different. The pharmacy degree, it seems, is much better for those aiming for careers in industry or hospital settings. Pharmacy could be so much more. It seems odd to me that with a Government keen to use the private sector to help the over-burdened National Health Service, that pharmacy is of little concern to Tony Blair. Surely, if private hospitals can aid their NHS counterparts, the community pharmacy could help the similarly over-worked and demoralised general practitioners more than it does, or is allowed to do? I guess we do not make for good headlines in the way more funding for doctors and nurses does.

Ben Hewitt
Bristol

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