The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 273 No 7316 p345
11 September 2004

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· Personal control
· Shipman
· Animal testing
· Charter
· Statins
· Cholesterol testing
· Media scrutiny
· Retention fee
· Enhanced services

Letters to the Editor

Shipman

Be aware of Dame Janet’s proposals

From Mr N. V. Morley, MRPharmS

With reference to Peter Lowe’s letter about a possible post Shipman Inquiry Controlled Drug loop-hole, (PJ, 28 August, p287), I must disagree with the thrust of his argument. It is clear that Shipman was caught because he forged the will of one of his elderly patients and, unfortunately for him, the daughter of the patient was a solicitor. The reason his unlawful killing of potentially terminally ill patients and the elderly was not detected was that it is not unusual for these patients to die.

The circumstances of unlawful diversion for sale or misuse by a GP, where the drugs have been ostensibly prescribed for organic illness, are precisely the circumstances most likely to be detected. The appropriate authorities have much experience in apprehending perpetrators of illegal supply and possession of scheduled Controlled Drugs. As regards misuse by the practitioner concerned, it must be remembered that Shipman was convicted in his early career of offences relating to his personal abuse of pethidine.

The extent to which the Shipman Inquiry proposals will be implemented, both by legislation and by incorporation into accepted good practice, remains to be determined. However, health care professionals will be ill advised not to be aware of Dame Janet Smith’s proposals and, where practical and appropriate, to adopt them as good practice.

Nigel Morley
Author of ‘Controlled drugs in primary care, the law, probity and good practice’
Blisworth, Northamptonshire

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