The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 270 No 7251 p747
31 May 2003

This page
Reprint
Photocopy

PDF* 95K

  Patient packs
  Unlicensed medicines
  SGM
  The Society
  CPD
  The register

Letters to the Editor

Patient packs

The industry is part of the problem

From Ms J. M. Maynard, MRPharmS

I agree with the general view that patient packs should be dispensed and that the present system is unsatisfactory. However, I would like to challenge Dr Trevor Jones (PDF 45K) about his article (PJ, 17 May, p687). He comments that "the industry has kept its side of the bargain, it is now time that the Government kept its side". Surely much of the problem in introducing patient pack dispensing is because the industry cannot agree on whether to use 28- or 30-day packs.

Many surgeries I work in are keen to prescribe in such a way that patients synchronise their medication. This is mainly in an attempt to reduce wastage but with some medicines in 28-day packs and others in 30-day it is an impossible task.

Another problem in introducing patient pack dispensing is that many community pharmacists use parallel imports that are packaged in different amounts to the British product. For example, until recently many community pharmacists used PI simvastatin packed in 30s. If the law is changed so that patients are dispensed the nearest patient pack size to that prescribed then will pharmacists who use PIs dispense 30 tablets? How will the Prescription Pricing Authority regulate this? Will pharmacists using PIs still cut off two tablets and therefore continue with the same problems?

The Government has a major role to play in sorting out the patient pack problem but the industry and community pharmacists themselves need to recognise their roles in bringing this long-running problem to a successful conclusion.

J. M. Maynard
Exmouth, Devon

Send your letter to The Editor

Next Topic (Unlicensed medicines)