The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 268 No 7196 p611-613
4 May 2002

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Letters to the Editor

Council elections

The gagging code for Council

From Mr R. Blyth, FRPharmS

So, the majority of would-be members of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's Council are apparently happy to submit to the gagging code (PDF* 115K) which members of Council are expected to observe (PJ, April 27, pp584-6).

The price of freedom, including free speech, is eternal vigilance. Of course, freedom brings problems, but lack of it brings greater problems. We fought for freedom at great expense of life and wealth two or three generations ago. Does the younger generation need to be reminded of that?

It is a truism that all politicians dislike dissent. Hence the need for a free press, the great bulwark of democracy.

Suppression of free speech silences the whistleblowers. Corporate governance programmes have not always proved an effective substitute for whistleblowers.

Moreover, the mania for keeping ranks closed has done the medical profession no favours in recent years.

The Society's motto expresses concern for health. A healthy Society, like society itself, requires freedom of speech.

Robert Blyth
Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire

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