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• Dispensing
• Community pharmacy
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Letters to the Editor
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Community pharmacy
Committed to the cause
From Mr M. J. Griffiths, MRPharmS
As chairman of Cambrian Alliance, my views on community pharmacy and
the key role it plays in the provision of a modern health service may
be known. However, two issues are uppermost in my mind presently: the
responsible pharmacist and control of entry.
I believe the current debate surrounding the responsible pharmacist should
be given serious examination by all pharmacists wherever they practise
because it is essential to the future of community pharmacy and provides
an opportunity to reinforce the image of the pharmacist as the only health
professional easily accessible on every high street.
I strongly advocate that there should be a responsible pharmacist present
and available on the premises at all times a pharmacy is open, although
not necessarily involved directly in the dispensing process. This solution
would promote our value and importance and would protect the future of
the profession of pharmacy. Indeed I fear where any alternative may lead.
The danger of mass unemployment for those currently in employment could
become a real possibility and would the profession be further downgraded
in the eyes of other health professionals? Could one see doctors adopting
this approach in future? I do not believe they would relinquish their
importance so easily.
The Office of Fair Trading recommendations on control of entry were strongly
contested by Cambrian Alliance in 2003 and after a successful campaign
they were rejected by the Welsh Assembly Government. Thus in Wales we
have no 100-hour or internet pharmacies to contend with.
I believe it
is important to ensure that this campaign continues as successive changes
in government policies and personnel reflect upon the practices adopted
across the border in England.
The community pharmacist is a vital member of the primary health care
team and should remain firmly within the communities they serve with
direct contact with their patients to ensure that the profession is
valuable and valued. I am committed to this cause. Mark Griffiths
Council By-election Candidate
Tredegar, Gwent
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The
Pharmaceutical Journal