The Pharmaceutical Journal Vol 267 No 7169 p506-509
13 October 2001

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Letters to the Editor

The Society (2 letters)

Relocate north

From Mr S. S. Yuen, MRPharmS

I read with dismay that the Council of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society is to seek a 31 per cent rise in the membership fee (PJ, 11 August, p209).

This increase is being solicited at a time when inflation adjusted wages for pharmacists are static or falling. I am filled with a sense of injustice, because I believe the lack of progress in pharmacists’ remuneration is largely consequential to historical actions of the Society.

Having sided with contractors and bodies corporate on numerous issues, for example, contract limitation, and failed to look after the interests of employed pharmacists (the majority of members), one must inquire into the “cost-effectiveness” of our membership fee.

It would be much fairer for the Society to link the fees to the average increase or decrease of pharmacists’ earnings; higher increases should be justified on the grounds of “returns on investment”. We do, after all, operate in a commercial world.

I have one suggestion. Since our headquarters is situated in one of the most sought after sites in London, relocating north will result in costs savings and a tidy profit, which can then be entrusted for the benefit of members. I can see no conflict between this proposal and our Royal Charter.

Being in close proximity to the Houses of Parliament is not essential to the work of the Society. In fact, when the performance and influence of the Society is compared with other professional bodies, eg, the General Medical Council, etc, it is plain to see that being close to the “seat of power” does not confer any benefits.

I urge the membership to give this proposal serious consideration, and resist the Council’s attempt to raise our membership fee.

S. S. Yuen
Walsall, West Midlands

Open day for Scottish HQ?

From Dr G. B. Drummond, MRPharmS

Reading the articles (both PDF* files) in The Journal (22 September, p385 (145K) and 395 (75K)) on the Royal Pharmaceutical Society in Scotland gave me a great deal of pleasure. They were comprehensive and informative and for me recalled several figures from the past, for example, D. B. Dott and that doughty old warrior, J. Rutherford Hill, both of whom I well remember.

At the risk of a charge of seeking reflected glory, I must refer to the generous tribute to my late brother, Charles, which I found very moving. The reference to the Victorian Pharmacy at 36 York Place reminded me of its original setting at 38 Grassmarket. Having qualified as a pharmacist in 1929, I was able on many occasions during my years as a medical student to act as locum there, and numerous other pharmacies. The income (in those days before student grants) made a valuable contribution towards financing my course.

In Edinburgh, there is an annual event called “Doors Open day” when one may visit sites not normally accessible to the public, for example, Royal College of Physicians, the Signet Library, City Observatory, to mention only a few of some 64 places of interest available. I wonder if the Scottish HQ might be included, even if only for limited, conducted groups, perhaps by prior arrangement?

Gordon Drummond
Hull

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