Little or no respect

From Mr H. R. Broadbent, MRPharmS

Previously I wrote to the PJ about how I saw pharmacy (“Whither pharmacy”, PJ, 6 October 2012, p365). I had hoped that it might stimulate some reaction. It did, but only in a small way. Since then I have read more about people who have earned MSc, PhD and other post-nominals. They appear to have conversations with each other using their own language which consists of abbreviations, acronyms and long words.

Are there any pharmacists out there who can talk to the public in the language which they, the public, can understand? Pharmacists of my generation were “family chemists” who knew our customers well. We knew the families and their neighbours. We knew their shopping habits, we went into their houses occasionally, we treated their minor medical problems and dressed their minor wounds.

I groan inwardly when I see pharmacists with a BSc, BPharm or an MPharm managing a “store”. Despite their qualifications they are employees whose area managers and others treat them with little or no respect — and they tell pharmacists they must try harder to complete their target of medicines use reviews and other services.

Good luck to all those who have earned their qualifications but who really is looking after the store?

H. R. Broadbent

Retired pharmacist

Barnsley, South Yorkshire