The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 270 No 7237 p265
22 February 2003

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  OFT report
  Supermarket pharmacy
  CPD
  Repeat prescribing
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Letters to the Editor

Supermarket pharmacy

Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it

From Mrs P. K. Ball, MRPharmS

Hallelujah! Finally, a pharmacist is happy openly to admit the benefits of supermarket pharmacy (PJ, 8 February, p184). All I have seen over the past few weeks are letters generally denigrating supermarket pharmacy — as if we are somehow less qualified and less able to provide standard services. In the Sainsbury's pharmacy of which I am manager, we are involved in every one of the local primary care trust initiatives, including nicotine replacement therapy on prescription, emergency hormonal contraception and head lice prevention and treatment — thus providing a more comprehensive service than almost all the surrounding local independent pharmacies. In fact, we are the sole provider of such services for 75 per cent of any given weekend trade and every late night trade. We have local prescription collection, oxygen therapy and all the usual services, so why do other pharmacists naturally assume that supermarkets are unable to provide a quality pharmacy service?

Surely, we are all the same "team" no matter which environment we choose to work in? I choose a supermarket because of its flexible hours, modern and clean facilities, range of staff abilities and potential for change, vision and expansion. We are forward-looking, always seeking to improve — not stuck in the past with unfair prejudices based on ignorance and hearsay.

Do not knock it until you have tried it — you may be pleasantly surprised.

P. K. Ball
Sale, Cheshire

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