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by The Pharmaceutical Journal in association
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in Great Britain.
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Your full name?
Dr Brian Peter
Curwain
Your job?
Chief pharmacist and research and development lead, Hampshire
Primary Care Trust (West)
Your branch?
Southampton
Pharmacist since?
1969
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Why did you decide to become a pharmacist?
I was working as a technician
in an industrial pharmacology laboratory and the head of department, David
Brown (a pharmacist married to a pharmacist) told me about the choices
of career available to pharmacists. I had three science “A”-levels
and applied, and was accepted at Brighton School of Pharmacy. The best
advice I have ever had.
What inspires you most about the pharmacy profession? The ability of so
many to put patients before the demands of business.
What are the best things about being involved in your local branch? Meeting
colleagues and learning from each other.
And the worst (if any)? Only downside is giving up the occasional evening,
which is not much of a problem, especially in the winter.
Why did you decide to run for Council? I realised that the Society was
not properly familiar with primary care pharmacy and because those of us
in primary care are a vital link between community pharmacy and its main
business partner, the NHS.
What happened at your first Council meeting? It was pretty much as I expected — a
lot of detail and complex issues that the Society has to get right.
Do you think being involved in your branch enables you to bring
any extra dimensions to the Council member role? If so what? It is important to be
in touch with as many pharmacists as possible and this is one way of doing
so.
What would be your vision for the future of pharmacy at branch
level? Branches
need to continue and be vigorous with programmes that contribute to both
continuing professional development and to the political issues that face
the development of the profession and its work. It cannot all be driven
from the centre and branches are an important part of the information flow
to the Society.
Who is your hero, mentor or person you most admire and why? Bob Dylan,
for completely changing popular music so that it can include really important
political and ethical issues and for his support of those who are disadvantaged
or subject to injustice. Also, the late Pamela Holton, reader in physiology
and my PhD supervisor, for showing me how young professionals should be
supported in their development, and for her integrity and absolute respect
for the truth. She was fantastic.
Is there one event or decision in your life you wish you could
go back and change? Nothing so far. I have been a lucky man. |
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Pharmaceutical Journal