The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 268 No 7194 p543
20 April 2002

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  Supervision
  Checking technicians
  Drug-herb interactions
  NHS
  Community pharmacy
  Hospital pharmacy
  Prison pharmacy
  The Profession
  Wholesaling
  CPD
  Pharmacy practice
  Dispensing
  The Society

Letters to the Editor

Community pharmacy

What happened to Pharmacy in a New Age?

From Mr W. N. P. Chapman, FRPharmS

Graham Phillips's concerns, as expressed in his Broad Spectrum article (PJ, 30 March, p430), are relevant. He strongly supports the value of dispensing technicians; so do I. They are a necessary part of the community pharmacy team. He points out, however, that the free time that they make available is not in usable "chunks" — he is right.

Members of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's Council and community pharmacists should remind themselves of the Council's response in September 1996 to "Pharmacy in a New Age — the New Horizon". In the executive summary the Council wrote: "Finally, three structural changes were identified as preconditions: a reformed remuneration system, rationalisation of the distribution of community pharmacies and at least two pharmacists per pharmacy."

I work within a group of four pharmacies with superb supporting staff. But in only one of these pharmacies, since earlier this year, have we had the privilege of two full-time pharmacists. Now we know how extra time can be made available.

The approaching Council election affords us the opportunity to vote to influence the shape of the new Council, which may then be able to revive and act upon the grand words from 1996.

W. N. P. Chapman
Consett, Co Durham

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