The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 270 No 7249 p704
17 May 2003

Aslam Dr Mohamed Aslam, FRPharmS, a member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s Statutory Committee, died on 29 April.
Dr Aslam, of 31 Wollaton Hall Drive, Wollaton Park, Nottingham NG8 1AF, was first appointed to the committee in 1994 and was reappointed in 1999.
He was director of clinical pharmacy at the University of Nottingham (see Tributes).

Catchpole On 7 February, William George Catchpole, MRPharmS, of 22 Alandale Road, Sompting, Lancing, West Sussex BN15 0JU. Mr Catchpole registered in 1943.

Feather On 18 February, May Feather, née Sykes, MRPharmS, of 25 Dunbottle Way, Mirfield, West Yorkshire WF14 9JU. Mrs Feather registered in 1952 (see Tribute).

Lissemore On 17 March, Doris Lissemore, of 26 Harden Keep, Millpool, Smethwick, West Midlands. Mrs Lissemore registered in 1951 and retired from the register in 1976.

Percy On 2 April, Constance Percy, née Lonsdale, MRPharmS, of 7 Uplands Road, Hawkwell, Hockley, Essex SS5 4DL. Mrs Percy registered in 1940.

Rix On 17 March, Philip Arthur Rix, of Kenwyn Nursing Home, New Mills Lane, Truro, Cornwall. Mr Rix registered in 1945 and retired from the register in 1987.

Ross On 21 March, Hugh Ian Ross, of 17 Sussex Gardens, Ty Gwyn, Wrexham LL11 2YB. Mr Ross registered in 1937 and retired from the register in 1981.

Small On 12 April, Michael Small, of Flat 8, Redlynch Court, 70 Addison Road, London W14 8JG. Mr Small registered in 1935 and retired from the register in 1993 (see Tribute).

Welsh On 27 March, Robert Welsh, MRPharmS, of 43 Westcliff Court, Edith Road, Clacton-on-Sea CO15 1LA. Mr Welsh registered in 1945.

Tribute

Aslam GARY FLATHER, QC, immediate past chairman of the Statutory Committee, writes: It was a dreadful shock to hear that Mo had died. I knew he had been ill recently but that had not fully prepared me. Mo was a member of the Statutory Committee from about 1995 onwards. I had the privilege, as chairman of that committee, of seeing him in action.

I remember him as an always inquisitive and cheerful personality and, yet, somebody who was forever concerned about the wellbeing of others. This decent and honourable man had primarily two concerns which were a great help to us on the committee.

First was his knowledge of the customs, religions and ways of the Asian community, which was invaluable. I will forever remember his deep concern for every Asian pharmacist who came before the committee and how he did everything he could to make the Society more receptive to this community, whose members now play such a prominent and beneficial role in pharmaceutical society. He himself was a role model, since I believe that he was the first Asian pharmacist who had served on the Statutory Committee.

His second and abiding interest was with the young pharmacist and particularly those who were still students or preregistration trainees. Many is the time that he asked me whether — without any names being mentioned — he could tell his students in Nottingham University about this or that case. Indeed I saw the affection that he was held in by his students when I went up on one occasion and lectured at his university.

Above all I remember Mo as someone I have shared a lot of laughs with and someone in whom I could easily confide. The world is a lesser place now that he has gone.

Professor MARTYN C. DAVIES, head of school, on behalf of the staff of the University of Nottingham’s school of pharmaceutical sciences, writes: Dr Mohamed Aslam (“Mo”) had a delightful charm and a charismatic personality that influenced all who fell under his spell. There were many times when he somehow persuaded individuals to undertake tasks after which one was left with the lingering question, “Why did I agree to do that?”. Mo had worked his magic again.

Before joining the University of Nottingham staff his PhD studies were in the area of medical sociology. Mo had a great interest and concern about the role of traditional healers — hakims — and also medicines and cosmetics of ethnic origin. He was later widely consulted on the constituents of many of the ill-defined imported ethnic drugs from the Indian subcontinent and from China. He worked with Dr Ivan Stockley on the interaction of Asian medicines and western (allopathic) medicines

One of his concerns was the content of many ethnic traditional cosmetics; he carried out extensive research into their lead content in collaboration with Dr Mike Healy of the university’s chemistry department. Mo’s research work attracted the attention of the media and government officials and he was called upon for many television and newspaper interviews.

Practically all his professional life was given to advancing clinical pharmacy education, in the University of Nottingham and in the wider world. His pharmacy school appointment in 1979 was joint with the Queen’s Medical Centre at Nottingham. He had to manage the difficult task of serving two masters when each demanded their pound of flesh.

He was instrumental in introducing clinical pharmacy into the undergraduate curriculum at a time when the school had limited resources. Mo, in his typical way, persuaded hospital staff to give their time without payment, their reward being the title of “teacher-practitioner”. Mo was able to use his joint appointment to establish a postgraduate diploma and later an MSc in clinical pharmacy, largely to satisfy the training needs of the Trent region.

Mo never stopped being a student himself, undertaking an LLM in legal aspects of medical practice (1990). Doubtless he used his newly acquired skills and knowledge following his appointment to the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s Statutory Committee. Mo was designated a fellow of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society in 1992 for his distinguished services to the profession.

He was eager to see the development of clinical pharmacy in Middle Eastern and Asian countries and he skilfully nurtured his many contacts. For many years he advised the Kuwaiti Ministry of Health on pharmaceutical matters. In more recent years he was associated with the University of Surabaya, Indonesia, helping it, through an association with the World Health Organization, to develop its clinical courses and also set up drug information services in eastern Java. He was the UK higher education link co-ordinator between the two universities, arranging for hospital staff from the Nottingham region to give their services during short-term visits. His work in this area will not be lost: Dr Chik Tan (a special lecturer at Nottingham) will continue to develop this venture for the school. Mo was made a visiting professor by the University of Surabaya for his services.

Mo suffered from circulatory problems. He had a triple bypass in 1984. The thought of a second such operation would terrify most, especially since many consultants said it was impractical; however he was “sorted out” by Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub and was soon back at his desk. Sadly, unrelated medical problems caused Mo to accept early retirement at the end of last year, but typically he still remained active in the school.

Mo will be remembered with affection by his many friends and colleagues, and by many generations of students at Nottingham for his warmth and friendly advice and counselling. Pharmacy, academia and the many lives he influenced are the poorer for his passing.

Coventry In a tribute to the late Macdonald Coventry (PJ, 10 May, p667), CHRIS McKENDRICK, secretary of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s Swindon branch, writes: The first time I met Mac was at the 1994 annual general meeting of our local branch. Mac was in the chair for the last time directing proceedings, with what I came to recognise as his usual accomplished and jovial style. Sitting there resplendent in the branch regalia, wearing one of his favourite “1,000 decibel” ties and sporting his trademark white beard, he looked for all the world like Father Christmas’s impish younger brother.

By that time Mac’s reputation had already been lovingly woven into the myths and legends of local pharmaceutical lore and, like anyone who met him, I found him to be a lovely man — both a scholar and a gentleman — and whatever he was involved with, he always had that little twinkle in his eye.

Although he sold his pharmacy some years ago he never lost his enthusiasm for all matters pharmaceutical, and was the keenest member of the local branch, and until last year was our representative at region. As branch secretary for several years I would often despair at the level of attendance at branch meetings, but Mac would always be there and take an active interest, whatever the subject — that would always remind me that it was the quality, not the quantity, that was important.

Crawford In a tribute to the late Douglas James Crawford (PJ, 10 May, p667), DAVID L. COLEMAN writes: After qualifying in 1941 Doug soon found himself in wartime Yugoslavia organising and procuring equipment and drugs for a field hospital — from the very start he learnt to make the best of what was available.

After the war Doug worked for two years in Grantham and then bought a business in Small Heath, Birmingham. A group of pharmacists got together, after a cricket match I believe, and founded a group called Associated Chemists to run an independent pharmacy service in that city. Doug was a founder member and he was also chairman of the local branch of the National Pharmaceutical Union.

For 20 years Doug owned his own pharmacy in Dunmow, Essex, where he was widely respected and involved in all aspects of town and pharmacy life. He chaired and worked on so many organisations that at one stage the pharmacy seemed to be the centre of town life. I first met him as a member of Essex Local Pharmaceutical Committee.

Twenty years ago he moved to Norfolk. Perhaps his intention was to retire, but not a bit of it. He gave me constant support as a locum when I was away from my pharmacy and he became an invaluable support to several pharmacists. I think that Doug’s great ability to listen to patients and to understand them enabled him to help them far more than any medicine on its own ever could. Doug had an infectious twinkle in his eye, a wide range of interests, from amateur dramatics, through vintage cars, to cricket and a real love of his profession.

His wife Betty gave him so much support in his work in pharmacy, and in his sickness in the last few years. Our thoughts and thanks are with her and their family.

Feather In a tribute to the late May Feather, née Sykes (see p704, Column 1), GILLIAN HAWKSWORTH writes: It was with great sadness that I learnt of the death of May Feather. As a former student of Bradford University, I have fond memories of May from my undergraduate years.

It has been my great privilege to renew our professional relationship in the past few years after her move to Mirfeld. Until her illness, May helped me out as a locum at my pharmacy, often at short notice.

In my role as a Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education tutor I know that, until recently, she was a regular attender and contributor at CPPE workshops. It was a great credit to her that she always kept up to date both professionally and politically, even during her illness, which she endured with great dignity. She will be sadly missed.

Small In a tribute to the late Michael Small (see p704, Column 2), MAURICE GOLDHILL writes: I first met Michael Small in early 1950 when I had just completed my national service with the Royal Army Medical Corps. He interviewed me for a managerial position in one of his pharmacies and I still remember being impressed at the time by his warmth and his strong personality.

He told me how he had arrived in London in the late 1930s from his native city of Manchester and acquired a small pharmacy in Fulham. At the time of my interview he had 15 pharmacies scattered throughout central London.
Subsequently his company, P. T. Harris Ltd, merged with a public company, Ascotts, and the total pharmacy count burgeoned to over 60. Throughout this period in his life of hard work and dedication he retained his “common touch” and impressed everyone with his modesty and charm.

He continued to devote a considerable amount of energy and time to fundraising and was himself a generous giver. In his limited spare time he painted, played golf, developed a taste for opera and was an avid reader of non-fiction.
He was a man of considerable talents and deep humility who will be sorely missed by all who knew him, within and outside of our profession.