The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 270 No 7237 p266
22 February 2003

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  OFT report
  Supermarket pharmacy
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Letters to the Editor

Locum pharmacy

Still it is only market forces

From Mr M. Duckworth, MRPharmS

I read with interest the letter from Stephen Taylor (PJ, 8 February, p188) relating to "the money grabbing attitude" in 2002 by locum pharmacists.

Might I suggest that if the large multiples and employer pharmacists did not offer such ludicrous remuneration packages for their employee pharmacists, then perhaps they would not be left with having to fill vacancies with long-term locums. I suggest the current situation has arisen because individual pharmacists are able to command a more realistic price for their services through locuming rather than be subject to minimum wage restrictions by "money grabbing employers". Does Mr Taylor not value the expertise provided by a locum who even at £25 per hour comes much cheaper than plumbers, builders or car mechanics. Still it is only market forces.

No doubt locums will be able to increase their fees further once a large number of pharmacists leave the register due to the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's continuing professional development requirements. But perhaps this will be counter-balanced by those seeking employment once premises close down because of implementation of the Office of Fair Trading recommendation. I look forward to the future.

Michael Duckworth
Huddersfield

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