|
May 2008
Mike Smith P3 Column - Brave New World
I recently attended the excellent BPSA annual conference at
Kingston University, and as ever I was tremendously impressed by the quality of
the students coming through. These fine young people are the future of pharmacy
and they give me great hope for our profession in the coming years.
As in previous years I presented on pharmacy ownership as a career opportunity
and I was delighted with the response I received from delegates. I was also
very impressed with the level of the debate I witnessed, in particular on the
difficult issue of Accredited Checking Technicians. I thought this topic only
gave concern to old boys like me but lo and behold it also concerns pharmacy
students.
The debate focused on the fact that once a pharmacist has made the clinical
check on the Rx he may have no further part in the dispensing process and any
potential error would be missed. A motion was then carried almost unanimously,
that ACTs should share joint responsibility for dispensing errors. I am really
encouraged that this type of debate should take place amongst undergraduates.
The question of liability and indemnity insurance in the new world of pharmacy
needs careful consideration by all of us.
We have a duty to these young pharmacists and we must leave them with a
profession fit for purpose. There have been so many distractions in the last 18
months that we may have lost the plot a little. I fear in some cases because of
the egos of those who have dominated pharmacy politics for so many years. The
PSNC conference was a typical example; well-intentioned and some passionate
debate around the same old issues followed by well spun words from the Minister
- but what really changes? Similarly we have just seen the publication of the
White Paper, which on the surface is very encouraging, but how and when will
this translate into a real step forward for our profession?
I recently read a quote from Sue Taylor, the very able chief officer to Devon
LPC and a long time colleague:
“How acceptable is it that a profession receiving 80% or more of its income from
the NHS does not know from month to month what it will be paid.”
How true this is - but how long have we been saying it?
There has never been a greater need for unity and strong leadership for our
profession and at the moment I just can’t see where this is coming from. Maybe
this new generation of pharmacists will bring the strong, dynamic leaders that
we need. If not I fear that in years to come those that follow me in writing
columns such as these will be raising the same issues. Call me a cynic – but we
have seen it all before…
I close by mentioning two other issues:
Prescription charges
Reports from Wales and Scotland that many patients see the abolition/reduction
of prescription charges as an opportunity to obtain “shopping lists “of free
medicines for minor ailments is extremely disappointing. There is an important
role for pharmacists here, to use their expertise and proactively advise
patients around minor ailments, and this must be acted upon to avoid potential
increases in GP consultations.
Waste
Am I alone in being appalled at the amount of unused medicines that are being
returned for destruction? The current level of 5-10% (depending on your source)
is frankly disgusting.
To me the question of waste in such difficult financial times seems an obvious
target for examination. It seems that MDS packs from nursing homes are
particular culprits. There must be a role for pharmacy here – careful
compliance counseling and further control over unnecessary repeat dispensing
may be the starting point, but we must receive 50% of the money saved!
Summer is on its way – don’t forget to enjoy some time outside of the pharmacy
and don’t forget the UniChem convention in Oman. There are still some places
left and there will be plenty of time for debate on hot topics including Darzi,
remuneration, commissioning and more. Please call the UniChem Convention Team
on 0800 6340119 if you are interested in attending.
Mike Smith.
mike.h.smith@unichem.co.uk
|