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Letters to the Editor
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Dispensing
Pharmacists should be allowed to compound medicines
From Mr D. J. Willcocks, MRPharmS
The Government’s latest big idea is to encourage GPs to go back
to practising surgery in their surgeries.
The hope is that patients will benefit from quicker, more convenient treatment,
doctors will gain added professional satisfaction and the Treasury will
save money.
By the same logic, is it not time time thought was given to pharmacists
resuming their traditional role of compounders of medicinal products?
I have every respect for the “specials” manufacturers. Their
expertise, modern facilities and quality control systems are first class.
They provide a Rolls Royce service but, it must be acknowledged, at Rolls
Royce prices.
I understand that safeguards must be put in place but I do believe that
a formulary could be devised of preparations that community pharmacists
could make up without jeopardising patient safety and at a fraction of
the present cost to the Exchequer.
It seems perverse that, at a time when we are all learning new skills,
the one that pharmacists — of my generation, at least — spent
long hours acquiring is denied to us.
David Willcocks
Newport |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal