The Pharmaceutical Journal Vol 267 No 7173 676-680
10 November 2001

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Letters to the Editor

The Society (7 letters)

Museum decision deplored

From Mr P. G. Homan, FRPharmS

I deplore the decision to reduce funding for the museum of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (PJ, 20 October, p579). For the past seven years it has been my pleasure to assist with the development of this important museum with its unique specialist collection. It has grown in status, presentation and popularity both to members of the Society and to the public at large. Open House days, history of pharmacy days and guided tours have helped to promote the profession.

I, like so many other people, have made many donations to the museum. It was hoped that these artefacts would be preserved for the benefit of future pharmacists and historians, enabling them to appreciate the history of pharmacy and to aid in historical research.

What is the future for these artefacts? At best, if this lack of funding continues, will they be transferred to another museum or the collection divided?

The Council's view is short-sighted. I would urge all who have contributed to and derived pleasure and benefit from this important museum to protest at this decision.

Peter G. Homan
Honorary Secretary,
British Society for the History of Pharmacy

Pharmacy enhanced by museum

From Mr G. W. Holliday, MRPharmS

As an ordinary member of the British Society for the History of Pharmacy may I add my voice to those of the officers, past and present, who have written to question the Council decision to cut the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's museum budget.

A learned profession must not be ruled by the decision of accountants looking for a short-term answer to an economic problem. The museum and its able staff have done an excellent public relations job over the past few years. By taking part in science weeks, public building open weekends and various other events, including the Millennium String of Pearls Festival, the museum has greatly enhanced the standing of pharmacy to a wide audience.

The leading article (PJ, 27 October, p584) contains all the guidance that the professional staff of the Society and the Council need to reverse the earlier decision and to preserve a precious heritage.

G. W. Holliday
Wallingford,
Oxfordshire

Australian history academy's concerns

From Mr G. Miller

We read with great concern of the decision to make changes to the funding of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's museum (PJ, 20 October, p579) and support for the British Society for the History of Pharmacy.

I would like to express the concern of the members of the Australian Academy of the History of Pharmacy who will be denied access to the museum and the displays of historical artefacts, if the planned funding cutbacks proceed.

In Australia, each of the state pharmaceutical societies maintain small libraries and even smaller collections of the historical objects associated with pharmacy practice. Because we have less than 200 years of pharmacy history of our own, it is often necessary to turn to the "mother society" when our limited resources have been exhausted, and any threat to remove this "backstop" will be worrying for our members.

Pharmacy artefacts are becoming a scarce commodity and attract prices that make these types of collectables excellent investments. All over the world the best collections are in the hands of astute, non-pharmacist investors, and these private collections cannot be accessed for research by students and other individuals.

The collection in the museum of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain would be one of its major appreciating assets, and this is perhaps the best reason why the collection must be kept together and properly maintained.

We also understand that support for the British Society for the History of Pharmacy is also to be withdrawn, and again we can only express our support for those who oppose such a move. Our Australian Academy owes a great debt to our colleagues in Britain for the support and encouragement they have given us since our inception five years ago.

Also we consider that it is in the best interests of all those involved in the history of the profession that an international meeting, where English is the major language, is held occasionally, and without a strong national history body in Britain, there would be little chance of attracting such an event to its shores.

Geoffrey Miller
Secretary,
Australian Academy of the History of Pharmacy

Please think again about museum decision

From Mr P. A. Roberts, MRPharmS

Like many of your readers, I too was dismayed to read about the decision to cut the budget of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's museum (PJ, 20 October, p579). There is no doubt at all that the museum is part of our heritage and I cannot find words to express my disgust over this suggestion.

I have put pen to paper before over the financial implication of purchasing a flat for our President. No doubt, some of those monies would have shored up the balance sheet.

Has anyone thought of appealing to one or all of the major pharmaceutical wholesalers to help us out of our plight? The amount of money required would only be petty cash compared with the entertainment budget used by the sales department.

Please, Council. Think again! It would be nice to maintain the museum as independent, but better commercial sponsorship than to lose this, our heritage.

Paul Roberts
Conwy, Gwynedd

Public support

From Mr J. G. Iles, FRPharmS

What a great decision! At a time when we need all the support from the public that we can get, the Council decides to deny them access to the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's museum, and, while they are about it, to end the museum's educational work in the community.

That is the mark of a really forward-looking organisation.

John G. Iles
London N5

Misguided

From Mr A. J. Yeates, MRPharmS

In the hope that the clamour against the Council's decision (PJ, 20 October, p579) to curtail the operations of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's museum will become an insuperable tumult, I join the swelling sound of dismay. Your leader "The lessons of history" (PJ, October 27, p584) sets up a fine irony when p593 is reached and "Recognition for British pharmacy historians" deservedly catches our attention.

Barbarians within our gates are even harder to overcome than those at our gates. It is only necessary for pharmacists who disapprove of this misguided measure to do nothing for it to succeed.

Please let us have an e-mail address to "hit" to register our wrath.

John Yeates
Stourbridge, West Midlands

Inaugurate a fund

From Mr A. G. M. Madge, FRPharmS

The world-respected museum of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society represents a wealth of experience and knowledge gathered for our benefit by our predecessors. Could the Council inaugurate a permanent fund? I feel sure many members would contribute and the industry is not penurious. No doubt, the British Society for the History of Pharmacy and the international organisations would provide help. All members must play their part.

Mervyn Madge
Plymouth, Devon

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