The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 279 No 7472 p382
6 October 2007

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• NHS leadership
• Open Day (2)
• Retention fees (4)
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Letters to the Editor

White Paper

Forced to a serious reconsideration

From Mr N. Sampson, FRPharmS

In the late 1920s my father gained a “Chemist & Druggist” diploma, and his father was so proud that he paid for life membership of the Pharmaceutical Society. I think the cost was 21 guineas. My father was proud of his profession; he served his local branch and the pharmaceutical committee for many years and naturally remained an interested member all his life.

When I qualified, my father was suitably proud, although I do not remember him paying my first subscription. I tried to be active and supportive of my profession in my own way and felt proud when, close to my own retirement, I was surprised and honoured with a fellowship. At no time had I thought I might be other than a member all my life.

But now that our Society is to be changed so dramatically by division I am forced to a serious reconsideration. Certainly I have little desire to belong to a government regulatory body when I am only ever to be retired.

Yet the new body akin to a royal college is, as yet, so ill-defined and vague. And would I qualify? Certainly I would hope to receive the PJ and follow the development of my profession while my mind is sound.

At this time I feel my future as a retired fellow (and pharmacist) must lie in the vision of the future as chosen by the younger active membership who will have to live with, and work in, the new environment. I hope they establish their new professional body with achievable aims and allow it to develop with time. It would seem folly to have grandiose ideas and costs that will disenfranchise substantial numbers and seriously handicap the project from the start.

The proposed subscriptions do not bode well for the future.

Norman Sampson
Burton Lazars, Leicestershire

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