Code of Ethics

Home > PJ (current issue) > Letters | Search

The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 277 No 7413 p188
12 August 2006

This article
Reprint Photocopy

PDF 30K, Acrobat Reader

Letters

· The profession (2)
· Regulation
· Code of Ethics (2)

Letters to the Editor

Code of Ethics

Protect pharmacists at the coalface (Mr G. C. B. Smallwood)

No need to receive Society's guide (Mr D. R. Thomas)

Protect pharmacists at the coalface

From Mr G. C. B. Smallwood, MRPharmS

Both Stan Wheatley (PJ, 22 July, p101) and Peter Walker (PJ, 5 August, p160) have made relevant points regarding the consultation on making the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s Code of Ethics more meaningful in the 21st century. Mr Walker makes two pertinent points regarding staffing levels and working though breaks. Having spent the whole of my professional career as an employee pharmacist, I think it is imperative, for reasons of patient safety, that superintendent pharmacists are given powers over staffing levels and work breaks, reinforced by the Code of Ethics, to ensure that pharmacists at the coalface are protected in the interest of their safety and patient safety.

Charles Smallwood
Croydon, Surrey

No need to receive Society's guide

From Mr D. R. Thomas, MRPharmS

On reading this week’s PJ (29 July, p142) referring to the new edition of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s “Medicines, ethics and practice” guide I was somewhat perplexed to note that the said edition was to be sent free of charge to all practising and non-practising pharmacists. I accept that it is essential for practising pharmacists to receive this publication as an important day-to-day guide on legal requirements, but I fail to see why non-practising pharmacists are included.

My reason for questioning this action is a financial one as I note from the Society’s Register that there are 7,554 registered, non-practising pharmacists and if my arithmetic is correct, the cost of supplying this would amount to over £100,000, if one takes into account the cost of postage and packing. In view of recent discussions at Lambeth, during meetings by branch members and others, and letters printed in the PJ, I do not believe that this cost is warranted under the present financial circumstances. I would appreciate guidance on this matter from the relevant directorate.

David Thomas
Hanworth Park, Middlesex

LYNSEY BALMER, head of professional ethics at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, responds:

The Code of Ethics and Code of Ethics for Pharmacy Technicians apply to all pharmacists and pharmacy technicians on the Registers. The “Medicines, ethics and practice” guide is therefore sent to all pharmacists and registered pharmacy technicians to ensure that both practising and non-practising pharmacists and pharmacy technicians have an up-to-date version of their Code of Ethics. The cost of producing the 2006 edition is estimated to be £60,000–£65,000, which accounts for paper, printing and mailing.

Send your letter to The Editor

Previous Topic (Regulation)