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Letters to the Editor
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The profession
We are failing ourselves
From Mr A. G. B. Jones, MRPharmS
My pharmacy colleague and political foe Sandra
Gidley is right to point out that pharmacy all too often adopts the “ostrich head” approach
to political engagement (PJ, 30 September, p420). As a veteran of many
Conservative Party conferences I would concur that pharmacy’s absence
is noticeable. By failing to engage so many crucial opinion formers at
both national and local level we fail ourselves.
I find my community pharmacy background a huge political asset. Through
my pharmacy I have a rapport with my electorate that is second to none.
As a pharmacist I am treated with a level of trust and respect unheard
of by many other professionals (a great asset for any politician).
Collectively we are held in high esteem by the population but we fail to
translate this goodwill into the sort of influence that is exercised by
many other health professionals. Although we engage at a high level, our
influence elsewhere is patchy. We often fail to build up the strong relationships
with local MPs, councils and councillors that would allow us to use our
influence so much more effectively and to show what pharmacy and pharmacists
are capable of.
Large income streams from central government, much of it attached to obesity
and smoking cessation targets, are coming through the local area agreement
process to local government. Pharmacy could help deliver these targets
but only by engagement at all levels in the political process. There is
ever more integration between health and social services departments, which
presents pharmacy with opportunities and challenges.
Our engagement with the political process is often sporadic and reactive
(control-of-entry, resale price maintenance) and needs to become broader
and more cohesive. When we show leadership, public opinion follows us.
As pharmacists we collectively and individually fail to appreciate our
influence with the public and thereby with politicians.
Graham Jones
Leader
West Berkshire Council |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal