The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 275 No 7380 p752
17 December 2005

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Other professions

Do not generalise the attitude of GPs

From Dr A. J. Cooper, MB BS, MRPharmS

Irram Irshad’s comment (PJ, 19 November, p632) that GPs ignore the work done by pharmacists is a complete assumption. Clearly, the full set of facts for the situations to which she refers are unknown and therefore cannot be commented upon.

Miss Irshad gives the impression that all GPs are dismissive of the contribution that other health care professionals make to patient care and she suggests that some GPs ignore their patients. This is a dangerous generalisation. All professions have poor performers within them (including medicine and pharmacy) that taint the name of the profession as a whole. However, pigeon-holing the whole of the profession is unjustified and insulting to those of us who work hard for the benefit of our patients.

I originally qualified as a pharmacist, but later went on to study medicine and am now undertaking GP training. I appreciate that pharmacists provide an excellent service and both my colleagues and me find pharmacist input valuable in optimising patient care.

In today’s health service, we should be working with each other as a multidisciplinary team, not hurling insults and making generalisations.

Alison Cooper
Princess Alexandra Hospital
Harlow, Essex

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