The betrayal of retired pharmacists!

[Rafael]

I read the letter by Rush Shaw published in this week PJ, about retired/non-practicing pharmacists not being able to call themselves ‘retired pharmacists’. What do you think of this nonsense?

Sorry Mr/Mrs president but the pharm. society is run by fanatics who betrayed the hard working pharmacists, those who had contributed to the society for the past 50 years by dispensing millions of prescriptions, and advising thousands of the public, and still contributing by encouraging the younger pharmacy students/pre-reg.

It saddens me to know the society does not care about the loyal pharmacists who contributed to the development of pharmacy. Did they forget who pays their pensions?

This song is dedicated to all the morally corrupted people involved with this society. R.pharm. Society, enjoy it while it lasts
Luna - Now Is The Time

YouTube - Luna - Now Is The Time

[johnep]

If any one asks me what I did for a living and how I regard myself after the final pharmaceutical curtain falls, I shall reply 'pharmacist' and await the knock at the door.
johnep

[admin]

I would just do the same as John - what can they do to you? I believe nothing.

[DavidS]

I would just do the same as John - what can they do to you? I believe nothing.

Why don't we just cut through all the c**p and adopt the courtesy title of Doctor. Dentists are starting to do it, and I think I'm right in saying that there are a few countries where pharmacists are known as doctors already.

[DavidS]

Why don't we just cut through all the c**p and adopt the courtesy title of Doctor. Dentists are starting to do it, and I think I'm right in saying that there are a few countries where pharmacists are known as doctors already.

And another thing..... at least they didn't wait until we retired before letting us down. No-one can say that we haven't had due warning.

[Rafael]

Why don't we just cut through all the c**p and adopt the courtesy title of Doctor. Dentists are starting to do it, and I think I'm right in saying that there are a few countries where pharmacists are known as doctors already.

True, but the course is known as doctor of pharmacy, a total of 6-7 years, american style system.

that's why they graduate and known as doctor pharmacist.

[Pharmanaut]

I will reply.
"If I told you we'd both get into trouble".

or

"I used to be a drug dealer".

[Fleegle]

I was forced to retire from the UK register about three years ago by Lambeth. I posted frequently regarding this at the time, if you care to search. I did nothing wrong. I was told I must complete CPD in the country I live in, and pay full UK fees, although I had no intention of working there, or take a hike. The decision was later reversed, but not widely publicised. When I questioned the reversal, I was told to send a cheque and everything would be alright. I chose to retire, as did many academics, including a past-president of the 'society'. I am 47 years old.

Welcome to pharmacy.

Fleeg.

[DavidS]

Hurrah! Hemant Patel has decided that his family can cope for another few years and has re-entered the fray (PJ letters 28th March p341, "A profession without a memory"). Let's see what happens now.

Has anyone else noticed the ridiculous side of all this? Apart from Johnep I can't think of another pharmacist who is just waiting for the opportunity to discredit the profession by giving out poor quality advice as soon as they retire. It sounds as if we will all suddenly go ga-ga, a bit like the Goodies episode where people suddenly turned into Scotsmen without warning, using bagpipes as offensive weapons, etc (not much extra effort required to do that).

........ oh, hang on, there's .....oh no, that's the current council, so that doesn't count.

And another thing. What mystical transformation will occur when we retire, that patients suddenly begin to hang on our every word? I could certainly do with some of that quality now (not least with the senior members of our profession, ah well).

[the old merlin]

And another thing. What mystical transformation will occur when we retire, that patients suddenly begin to hang on our every word? I could certainly do with some of that quality now (not least with the senior members of our profession, ah well).

Ain't, as they say, that the truth! I've been fully retired (ie on the non-practising register) since Jan 1st and I'm very sure that I've forgotten very little of what I was good at! I haven't claimed to be a good community pharmacist since about 1995, when I was two or so years out of having done any community work. I had a pretty good idea about the Contract, though, "cos "Once Upon A Time" I advised a PCT and, after retiring from the NHS, did some practice advising .

Almost NO-ONE, apart from immediate family ever asks me about their medicines. Admittedly I don't belong to a golf club, masonic lodge or a Rotary whatever it's called and I've moved away from where I practised.
I think people down at the pub know what I was/did, but generally they're far more interested (and they get it whether they are or not) in my "educated" opinion (as a regular attender at the County Cricket Club) of cricket, or the beer, than anything else! And I don't push my views about medicines.
Occasionally people in the U3A (look up the website) we've joined ask me about their medicines, but if they do, I refer them to the pharmacist where they get them. And/or tell them that I don't keep up to date now. And, since all of the rest of members do the same about whatever they did before retirement, everyone accepts that!

However, I'd really, really like to be able to continue to call myself a pharmacist, albeit retired. And I'm at a total loss to understand why it should become a criminal offence for me to do so.
And, why the Society of which I've been proud to be a member in one or way or another for 50 years can't, through it's Council, protect my right to do that I cannot understand.
I don't mind paying a reasonable fee, either. I can't set it against tax either, nowadays! Maybe if we get things sorted in a few years I'll be able to GiftAid it, as I can with the CPP fees.

Rant over.