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Letters to the Editor
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The Society
A nanny state
From Mr D. G. Carr, MRPharmS
Even though fairly recently retired, I have always managed to keep reasonably
up to date by reading The Journal in depth each week and attending an
occasional educational meeting. I could still give sound advice within
my competence, if requested, to those who know my background but this
is about to be forbidden. Over 50 years on the Register counts for nothing,
not to mention loss of face to those who might ask my assistance.
Continuing to peruse the PJ on a weekly basis appears to hold little
future for me, especially with the excessive increase in fees and, with
great regret, it seems that I shall have to forgo the use of the title “pharmacist”.
However, there appears to be an upside to this sad tale. If I am no longer
on the Register, I can continue to advise my nearest and dearest without
fear of retribution.
So the choice is pay up, get the PJ and shut up or miss out on The
Journal,
save a packet and talk pharmaceutical matters with whoever you chose.
It is not only the Government who runs a nanny state!
David Carr
Great Bookham,
Surrey
No longer wish to be a member
From Mr J. E. Balmford, FRPharmS
I became a member of the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain on
25 June 1953 and on 31 December 2005, I will cease to be a fellow of
the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain.
During those intervening years I have played what I believe has been
an active and useful role in the Society. I have been in that time a
branch secretary and chairman, a member of the Council, vice-president
and then president of the Society, latterly I have been an honorary auditor
and during this time I have represented the Society on many bodies and
at numerous meetings.
All of these posts have been unpaid, but my reward has been trying to
achieve the standing of our Society and securing its future.
I, along with many of my generation, believe that the way in which the
Society is now run, the way in which so many non-pharmacist directors
are now running the Society, the huge increase in staff as a means to
build empires and the purchase of the President’s flat, mean we
no longer wish to be members.
I will not resign until the end of next year, so that I can vote in the
first election of the changed Council, attend the annual meeting of honorary
auditors in April and attend the annual general meeting in May next year.
After that I will hang up my coat and reflect on what might have been.
I remind all members who wish to leave the Register, to resign and not
to be struck off, in case they wish to “come back”.
John E. Balmford
Chipping Campden,
Gloucestershire
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Pharmaceutical Journal