The Pharmaceutical Journal Vol 267 No 7170 p545-548
20 October 2001

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Letters to the Editor

The Council

Dress down Friday

From Mr N. L. Wood, FRPharmS

So the Council is to have less formality in its meetings (PJ, 13 October, p527.) The Joumal was once famously described as a parish magazine; it seems we now have a parish council to go with it.

The once proud Council of a governing body of a major profession is to use touchy-feely first names, slouch about in their shirtsleeves and tops, and while addressing the President as Fred or Betty engage in a sort of institutionalised “dress down Friday”. Has no one told them that standing up to speak in respect for the post of President is just that and not for the transient holder?

How does the Council expect to be taken seriously, (especially when in the presence of observers), without at least appearing to give the impression that they take the business of goveming the profession with dignity?

Much publicity has been given in the past to slovenly pharmacists creating bad public relations by their personal appearance and that of their pharmacies. Exhortations have frequently been made to wear white coats, business suits and smart professional dress.

The current Council has a great deal to do to regain the respect and confidence of ordinary members in its ability to lead and govern the profession.

It could start by taking itself seriously, and then get on with the business of tackling the considerable challenges facing the profession today. Perhaps it should start with the part in the Code of Ethics which says that pharmacists should “adhere to accepted standards of personal and professional conduct and not engage in behaviour or activity likely to bring the profession into disrepute, or undermine public confidence in the profession”.

Nicholas Wood
Brentwood, Essex

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