The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 269 No 7216 p392-394
21 September 2002

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Letters to the Editor

The Society

Contrary to democratic principles

From Mr M. Crane, MRPharmS

I share the concerns expressed by Jonathan Martin et al (PJ, 31 August, p280) and I was disappointed by the response from Ann Lewis, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's Secretary and Registrar. She defends the voluntary code of conduct as a normal requirement for bodies performing functions of a public nature. How many such bodies have a voluntary code of conduct with sanctions applying to those members who are unable or unwilling to sign?

In our Society a Council member dissenter is barred from membership and chairmanship of certain committees and becomes ineligible to stand for election to the office of President, Vice-President or Treasurer of the Society. The point made by the writers that Sultan Dajani was stopped by the Council from effectively representing the members who elected him could equally apply to Dr Gordon Appelbe.

For Miss Lewis to cite the provisions that differing views can be given providing the collective view is given rings a trifle hollow when compared with the Council's handling of the voluntary code of conduct with sanctions attached, which has been described as swift, drastic and without appeal.

An interesting point arises if the code of conduct is enshrined in the Byelaws. It would become mandatory. It would become binding for all members of Council, whether they assented or not, and would not require any formal signing since this is the nature of a mandatory provision. It follows that the sanctions imposed on a dissenter would no longer be effective. Whether this would change the attitude of the Council towards him or her must lie in the future. The proposal to remove members from the Council who are regarded as hindering the work of Council seems to be contrary to accepted democratic principles.

Malcolm Crane
Rye, East Sussex

Is the Society losing its independence?

From Mr A. G. M. Madge, FRPharmS

Does it seem, reading the many letters in The Pharmaceutical Journal regarding the future of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, that there is an inherent, unexpressed fear of it becoming an arm of the state and losing its independence?

Mervyn Madge
Plymouth

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