PATRICK JOHNSON, MPSI,
Sir, - There is a complete lack of understanding in some political parties and in the media of what services community pharmacies provide to their patients. I am not convinced that pure market forces will achieve for the Irish people the first-rate pharmaceutical care service to which they are entitled.
I can understand why some people who rarely use the service view the profession as simple retailers, peddling our goods. If you get an antibiotic once a year, I can understand why you would like to buy the drug in a completely open market for the cheapest price. However, if you are the mother of a child with cystic fibrosis you will understand the value of a pharmaceutical care service that is not just based on profit and sales.
You may value the pharmaceutical care service if you are an elderly person discharged from hospital on nine tablets a day who finds great comfort and reassurance in discussing with your community pharmacist your drug regime. Community pharmacy should exist in a regulatory framework so that the public benefits fully from this resource. We have already more pharmacy outlets per capita than any of our European neighbours. Germany, France, the UK and Italy have highly regulated pharmacy sectors. Let's build on the quality aspect of primary care.
Lastly, I would like to point out to the right wing of Irish politics that even Mrs Thatcher did not attempt to deregulate community pharmacy in the UK during her crusade in the 1980s. By keeping standards of care high in the community Irish people will be able to reduce the number of hospital stays and the length of their duration. This massive saving alone in financial terms points to good economics by alleviating other areas of our overstretched health service, such as hospitals and GPs. - Yours, etc., PATRICK JOHNSON, MPSI, Sandymount Road, Dublin 4.