inTervieW - Green Cross Publishing

10
Dear Madam,
news
reaction to Professor Weedle’s comments
on the new codeine regulations
The interview with Prof. Peter
Weedle in the last edition
of the Irish Pharmacist was
an interesting insight into a
man who has garnered great
respect within his profession.
It is for that reason that I
write to you. While Peter may
be right in stating that the
codeine regulations have
made a positive impression on
people of influence, it is a sad
reflection on those self same
individuals, if something as
half baked and ill conceived
actually impresses them. It
may go some way to explain
why there is a lack of appreciation
in the same quarters for
the substance and potential
of community pharmacy. Signicant
progress for pharmacy
took place in the mid 90s with
the advent of clause 9 in our
contract. However, a new government
- with an unfettered
free market approach - viewed
pharmacy simply as another
retail opportunity. Changing
the view of these people is
akin to trying the impossible,
however given the economic
destruction thy have overseen,
their days are hopefully numbered.
My comments do not
detract from the achievement
of bringing in new pharmacy
legislation. Politicians however
will always be open to
legislation that gives cover in
crisis, it is a different process to
make them more amenable to
responsible innovation. This is
true particularily where there
are strong contrary lobbies.
These regulations have
copper-fastened in the minds
of many, the view that pharmacists
are mere conduits for
the dispersal of medicines.
People, respectable citizens,
have been given the third
degree by some of our more
zealous colleagues, their only
Pharmacists – to provide Drug
Treatment Pharmacist Services
The Irish Prison Service (IPS) invites tenders for the provision of Drug
Treatment Pharmacist Services.
Pharmacists are now being sought to provide Drug Treatment
Services (i.e. to include methadone dispensing and administration and
all associated professional services), as part of a multidisciplinary team,
in Wheatfield Prison. This presents an opportunity for pharmacists
to become involved in the area of drug treatment services in prisons.
The contract will be managed by the Chief Pharmacist, Healthcare
Directorate, IPS.
Lot 1: Wheatfield Prison
Cloverhill road, Clondalkin, Dublin 22
For full tender information please visit the public sector procurement
opportunities website at www.etenders.gov.ie
Tender documents are available on www.etenders.gov.ie; or by
email from cputenders@irishprisons.ie.
Completed tender documents must be returned, in hard copy,
by 4:00pm on 1st December 2010 to Irish Prison Service, Central
Procurement Unit, IDA Business Park, Ballinalee Road, longford. Ph 043
333 5187.
For further information, please contact the Healthcare Directorate,
IPS on 043 333 5119.
sin, requesting a packet of
soluble solpadeine to alleviate
the effects of excess. For
this grave sin, they have been
condemned to wander for an
eternity from one pharmacy
to another seeking remedy for
their discomfort.
More seriously, for pharmacy
it has created a mindset
in the public at large that
pharmacists cannot be trusted
in their professional judgement,
and lack the ability to
judge circumstances as they
present themselves. Given the
fact that within three weeks of
Aug 1, there was an epidemic
of period pain, chronic back
pain, hard to shift headaches,
none of which responded to
paracetamol or ibuprofen and
even a segment on a radio programme
telling people what
to say to ensure a purchase, all
this has left the pharmacist in
an invidious position.
The reality is that that these
Letters to the editor:
email: maura@
greencrosspublishing.ie
Post:
The Editor
Irish Pharmacist
7 Adelaide Court
Adelaide Road
Dublin 2
Fax:
01 4789449
regulations were conceived
to impress others. This is to
misread the direction the
supply of medicines is taking
and merely reflects our age old
ability to underrate ourselves.
More open supply channels for
medicines are the future if only
for economic reasons. Boots
are being proactive in this area
already. Pharmacy services
are available, accessable
with qualified and motivated
people ideally positioned to
drive this more open access
with a solid professional
approach. Unfortunately the
codeine regs have undermined
issue 10 volume 12 • novemBeR 2010
us in the eyes of the public.
They have reflected a very
shallow approach to the
problem of addiction, creating
an impression that does not
enhance our case for a wider
professional role. The PSI
would be better advised in
future to involve themselves
in real dialogue as distinct
from the HSE patented variety;
there is no substitute for open
and frank exchange of views,
everyone learns.
yours sincerely
richard Collis
PHARMACY SUPPLY & SERVICES
The Irish Prison Service (IPS) invites tenders for the provision of
pharmacy supplies and services to the prison below.
This service will, in addition to the provision of dispensing services,
include the planning and delivery of pharmaceutical care to all
prisoners. This contract will be managed by the Chief Pharmacist,
Healthcare Directorate, IPS.
Lot 1: Castlerea Prison
Harristown, Castlerea, Co. roscommon
Tender documents are available on www.etenders.gov.ie or by
email from cputenders@irishprisons.ie. Completed tender documents
must be returned in hard copy, by 4:00pm on 20th December 2010
to the Irish Prison Service, Central Procurement Unit, IDA Industrial
Estate, Ballinalee Road, longford, Ph. 043 333 5187.
For further information, please contact Healthcare Directorate, IPS,
on 043 333 5119.