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Supervision
Pharmacists can influence the future
From Mr M. K. Astbury, MRPharmS
Unemployed pharmacists, pharmacies without pharmacists and public safety
jeopardised; this could be the future if pharmacists do not get involved
now. I am talking to the type of pharmacist who glances at the letters
page but never puts pen to paper. I need those pharmacists who just do
their job, get on with their busy life and barely look at The Journal to
see this letter. If not, I will have to hope a colleague will pass on this
information.
As a front-line community pharmacist, nothing will affect my practice and
working environment more than the following two developments: the regulations
to be written under the Health Act 2006 (as a result of the Government’s
consultation) and the future of pharmacy medicines (following the Royal
Pharmaceutical Society’s consultation on open display).
First, when the formal consultation for the Health Act starts in April
there will be letters and articles in the PJ informing pharmacists about
how to get involved.
Second, pharmacists already have the chance to influence the future of
pharmacy medicines. They should fill in the brief questionnaire that was
published in the PJ on 3 March (pp261–2)
and post it to the Society. The questionnaire is available online
If pharmacists believe the way pharmacy medicines are sold at present is
the safest, they can indicate this on the questionnaire by answering “yes” for
the first question, “yes” for the second question and “not
applicable” for the third question. That will not take long
If pharmacists do not have the time to reply by the above methods and they
trust Joe Bloggs then they could put the above answers on a piece of paper,
title it “Open display consultation”, include their name and
registration number and post or fax it to Priya Sejpal at the Society.
Placing the views of grass-root pharmacists at the heart of the Royal Pharmaceutical
Society’s Council is precisely why I stood for Council election in
the first place. This time the voice of the silent majority will only be
heard if individuals make an effort. The people who usually reply to these
consultations are businesses, semi-retired pharmacists and special interest
groups. They may come, and often are coming, from a different direction
from pharmacist individuals who are employed full time.
Martin Astbury
Member of Council
Royal Pharmaceutical Society |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal