The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 276 No 7389 p232
25 February 2006

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· Oxygen supplies (5)
· Community pharmacy
· Vitamin D
· Care homes
· Boots/UniChem merger
· Locum pharmacy
· Assisted dying
· Methadone
· Statins
· CPD
· Criminal convictions
· Overseas pharmacists
· National boards

Letters to the Editor

Statins

Pharmacists must not be led by whims

From Mr E. B. Holden, MRPharmS

I have been following the issues raised by Irene Gummerson (PJ, 11 February, p166) and Jim Ashmore (PJ, 18 February, p205).

I am reminded of an incident several years ago when a local consultant insisted on each dose of the tetracyclines he prescribed be swallowed with a glass of milk. Did we follow his directions willy nilly? No. The issue was dealt with on a scientific basis with the clear evidence being presented. With regard to statins, we do have clear and incontrovertible evidence: an early evening dose is essential. These drugs are too costly and too important to be dished out like Dolly Mixtures.

Pharmacists must take the initiative and not be led by the whims of either patients or prescribers.

Barry Holden
Clitheroe, Lancashire

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