The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 268 No 7200 p763-765
1 June 2002

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Letters to the Editor

ABPI

More attention to contemporary practice needed

From Mr D. J. Livingstone, MRPharmS

I read with a mixture of amusement and incredulity the reactionary comments by Professor Trevor Jones regarding medicines management and pharmacist prescribers (PJ, 25 May, p705). It is particularly unfortunate that such out-of-date opinions are held by a fellow of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. It may help Professor Jones to know that pharmacy education and training is not centred around "crushing and grinding" as it was in his day, nor has it been for some time — it appears that Professor Jones has unwittingly identified his own continuing professional development needs.

If Andrew Curl, associate director of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, "wants to develop a much more constructive relationship with pharmacists" more attention to contemporary practice and less to ill-informed dogma would be useful starting points.

Duncan Livingstone
North Lancing, West Sussex

Disappointed in lack of faith

From Mr A. J. Smith, FRPharmS

I read with interest the article "Remuneration cannot be linked to professional decision making" (PJ, 25 May, p705).

Usually, I respect the statements made by Professor Trevor Jones, director general of the Association of the British Industry, but I must take issue with him regarding his concern about pharmacists taking on the role of prescribers. He said: "We would be most concerned if, as a part of [medicines management] the pharmacist could change the medicine — that would be hugely dangerous because pharmacists don't have access to full patient records." This is true currently, but access to patient records is likely to be part of the new protocol.

However, my major worry is his statement that there would be the "motivation to change a prescribed drug. If the professional judgement is that there is a need for a change — fine. But, is it likely that pharmacists would uprate a medicine to a more expensive drug?"

If Professor Jones cares to study the terms of remuneration of pharmacists he will see that there is no mark-up for pharmacists on the drug; they are entitled merely to their acquisition costs. The result of substituting a more expensive drug would, therefore, not generate any profit but merely reduce the return on capital employed. Perhaps his real worry is that pharmacists might use their expertise to lower drug costs, particularly by a greater use of generics, and therefore adversely affect the profitability of the ABPI.

Finally, I am disappointed that Professor Jones should have so little faith in his fellow pharmacists.

Alan Smith
Ocford

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