[Tony Schofield]

My comment was directed at DRH75.

I have only read Solomon's post once so won't comment on it until I have had my breakfast. However on first reading he makes many sensible points.

Before I go I worked in a pharmacy yesterday that did 587 prescriptions. I noted the following:-

I explained to a patient and then their doctor what Isophane insulin pyr was and the possible consequences of the practice computer not recognising it.

I assisted a doctor in calculating a dose for tinzaprin

I explained to a doctor the new formulation of perindropril. The discussion was important as the doctor had no idea how the patenting of medicines and branded generics could impact on her prescribing costs.

I did an MUR in which the patient admitted ordering beclomethasone inhalers to keep the practice happy but wasn't using them.

I supervised a subutex in which the patient did his best to conceal putting the tablet in his mouth. We had a "mature" exchange of views after which he did as was required of him.



We also had problems with controlled drug prescriptions which were incorrectly written. MDS prescriptions, a problem with a MAR chart where a carer had incorrectly filled it in, a problem getting Haymine from Unichem who treat the product as a counter item and don't deliver it as quickly as perceived prescription items. These particular queries and more were taken care of by any one of the four technicians assisting me, two of whom are ACTs.

I clinically assessed each prescription as I hadn't worked there for some considerable time but I didn't do any final schecks unless I had instructed the staff to give the script to me to hand out.

I don't accept that a pharmacist's clinical knowledge rots because he is working in a community pharmacy. I don't accept that using well trained support staff renders me less useful and possibly redundant in the future.

The relationship between a pharmacist and staff is not one of power and subjugation. It is one where, as Solomon points out, the developing clinical role of pharmacists will be impossible if more isn't delegated to support staff. That can only be done by educating and empowering support staff.

Hence my remark about DRH75 where he implies that as hospital technicians do more, hospital pharmacists do less. It is utter, unconscionable bollocks.