The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 269 No 7205 p7
6 July 2002

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SPF condemns minister for ignoring pharmacy violence

The Scottish Pharmaceutical Federation (SPF) has condemned the Scottish Health Minister, Malcolm Chisholm, for failing to take a Parliamentary opportunity to condemn violence and threats directed at community pharmacists and their staff.

"Threats and actual acts of violence are on the increase in Scotland's pharmacies," said Mr Ian Johnstone, chairman of the SPF. "The Minister's failure to address this in Parliament is not acceptable."

His comments came after questions in the Scottish Parliament on 27 June from the convener of the Health and Community Care Committee, Margaret Smith. Ms Smith highlighted the case of community pharmacists confronted by violent patients and asked whether the Scottish Executive planned to do anything about it or to change the law to make assault against public sector workers the more serious offence of aggravated assault.

Mr Chisholm said that this was a matter for the Lord Advocate, not the Minister of Health and Community Care.

Ian Johnstone said: "The Minister chose not to reply to this specific question. We understand and have the greatest sympathy with other health care professionals who face threats and actual violence but the Minister and the Scottish Executive have completely missed the point. On a daily basis community pharmacies, which have as a necessity an open door policy, are visited by 600,000 people. A minority of these, who are mainly drug abusers, regularly pose a threat, be it potential or actual."

Mr Johnstone added: "We are deeply frustrated that the Minister did not take the opportunity to address our growing concerns nor appeared to understand that violence to NHS staff and contractors is not confined to hospitals and surgeries. It is an everyday reality for community pharmacists and one which urgently requires to be addressed by the Scottish Executive."