Talking to the media
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society works to promote the profession through
an active programme of media relations. It works with print and broadcast
media to raise
the profile of pharmacists as authoritative health professionals whose expertise
can contribute across a range of debate.
Pharmacists who provide comment or opinion to the media should always consider
carefully what they are going to say and how their words may be interpreted or
used. Views expressed to the media should always be in line with pharmacists’ professional
Code of Ethics.
The Society offers the following guidance to pharmacists when dealing with the
media.
· Contact the Society’s public relations unit for advice on 020 7572 2335
or 2336
· Always ask the journalist for as much information as possible. Ensure that
you know what the story is about and where and how it will appear before you
consider commenting
· Never be pressured into giving a response on the spot. Take time to consider
whether you wish to comment. If you do decide to respond, make sure you know
what your key points are, and make a note of these before speaking to the journalist
· If you are asked to comment about something you are unfamiliar with, then advise
the journalist to approach someone else
· Never speak off the record. There are no guarantees that your comments will
not be used. Anything you say may be quoted in your name
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Hypromellose preparations
The Society’s Fitness to Practise and Legal Affairs Directorate
often receives complaints concerning the supply of incorrect strengths
of hypromellose eye-drops.
Pharmacists are therefore advised to take extra care when dispensing
prescriptions for hypromellose eye-drops to ensure that the correct strength
(1 per cent, 0.5 per cent or 0.3 per cent ) is supplied. Where the strength
required is not specifically stated on the prescription, pharmacists
should contact the prescriber for clarification.
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The
Pharmaceutical Journal