The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 268 No 7198 p672
18 May 2002

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United we stand? [more]
Numark, Nucare and Nupower [more]

United we stand?

Does pharmacy need a trade union? Or would a "virtual board for pharmacy" bringing together representatives of all the different sectors and pharmacy bodies be a better way to bring some coherence to the way in which pharmacy moves forward and the messages it sends to the outside world?

Last week (p632), we suggested the idea of an overarching pharmacy body. For a news feature this week (see p679), we spoke to some of the bodies that might be involved. We found a willingness to consider the idea, but with no immediate demand for it to be established. Most seem to be waiting to see what decisions are made by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society about how its modernisation process will proceed. These are expected imminently. Once these are clear a renewed effort should be made by these bodies to establish a forum in which the broader consequences can be discussed.

What of a trade union? Many hospital pharmacists have long belonged to the Guild of Healthcare Pharmacists, a section of the large white collar trade union Amicus. Pharmacy proprietors have a number of trade associations to which they may belong. However, previous attempts to form a union for those working in the community have foundered due to a lack of support, both from national bodies and from employees themselves.

Although the self-interest of existing bodies can be understood (if not always forgiven), the lack of interest from employees and locums is less easy to understand. In the current tight labour market, and where pharmacy businesses are legally required to employ pharmacists for many tasks, it is surprising that employees seem to be unaware of their negotiating muscle.

Average employees, with families to support and bills to pay, may not want to rock the boat, but perhaps they should reconsider the idea of forming a union and seeing what they can achieve. Employees have little to lose but their lack of lunch breaks and other poor working conditions.

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Numark, Nucare and Nupower

The proposed merger between Numark and Nucare revealed this week (see p673) could lead to a new power in the community pharmacy field with a potential chain of 2,700 stores. However, if the new group is to have real influence, its leaders will have to impose a higher level of control over what are currently loose alliances of independent businesses. We wish them luck.

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