The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 269 No 7213 p278-281
31 August 2002

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Letters to the Editor

The Profession

Pharmacists classed as "non-manual" workers

From Mr B. K. Wright, MRPharmS

I refer to an article "We are the workers now, say middle class" published in The Times on 21 August in which MORI classified pharmacists as "non-manual" workers. As a pharmacist I object to this classification, which puts us two levels below professionals and one above workers such as lorry drivers and security officers.

This rating by MORI is disappointing and inaccurate, and I believe that as a profession we are not being accorded the status our level of expertise deserves.

I would ask the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, as our professional body, to address this issue with MORI and encourage it to reassess the old fashioned traditional class groupings and amend them to reflect the changes in the level of expertise displayed by pharmacists as one of today's health professionals.

I also urge the Society to intensify its promotional campaign to heighten public awareness regarding the importance of the pharmacist's role and our reputation for high standards as drug experts within the multidisciplinary health care team.

I would hope that in the near future our role as first line health care professionals will be acknowledged by both the general public and organisations such as MORI.

Barry Wright
Avoch, Ross-shire

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