Charles Fry, director of publications, Royal Pharmaceutical Society, replies:

The Pharmaceutical Press provides financial support for many of the Society’s activities. To achieve this it has to act in a commercially responsible manner and generate the greatest return on investment for the least amount of risk. A carefully considered print and price strategy is an essential part of this.

For individual titles, the print run and price decision is determined by a variety of factors including the size and nature of the market, competition and publication costs. Bearing in mind that the Society is not in a position to take great risks with its publishing, decisions are usually conservative. For some publications, particularly the more specialised ones, this may mean setting a price which is beyond the budget of most individual purchasers.

However we are well aware that the aim of the Society’s publishing activities is not solely directed towards making a financial contribution. The provision of high quality information about and for the profession of pharmacy is also important. Within the commercial constraints imposed upon us we try to ensure that members are able to afford Pharmaceutical Press publications. To this end we frequently run special promotions to members, particularly for major publications such as Martindale. There is also an annual book sale offering substantial discounts on published prices. For those who are reluctant to purchase, the library enables members to borrow copies of books, including those of the Pharmaceutical Press.