The chemist and druggist

1·10.9 MB·English

by  UBM

Thenewsweeklyforpharmacy
September1,1984 aBennpublication
Reactionto PHILIPS
Simplyyearsahead
pharmacys'
FANTASTICCONSUMEROFFER
'greencross'
ismostly
favourable
PIschemeis
ANYPHILISHAVETRIPLE-HEADRECHARGEABLE
'retrograde'
PURCHASED1SEPTTO13OCT1984
saysABPFs
newdirector
Germans get
'M2icii-style'
slamming
EPOS: state
oftheart
Boostfor
contactlens
solutions
CAMPAIGNTOPROMOTEYOURSALESOF
#Philishave
THEWORLD'SNO.1SHAVER
PHILIPS.£22MILLIONADVERTISINGTHENAMEIN1984
.Jl
Which new brand updating
is
the image of the sheath?
UFES17LES FESITLES
stimula nuda
^
LIFESITLES
ultTosure
forheighRtiebnbededsensi naxExitmraumligshetnsitivrty
Theonlysheathwith
spermicideforextrasafety
r
Lifestyles
ExtensiveconsumerresearcticonfirmsLifestylesasafresh,clean,stylistibrandof WARI\ER
contraceptive-partofmodernfamilylife. LAMBERT
AtWarner-LambertHealthCarewehavemanyothersuccessesforyou.LikeBenylin,themost
recommendedofallcoughtreatments.VeganinandAnusol,eachwithanestablishedfranchise.Fast- HEALTHCARE
movingnewproductslikeSinutab.PolyHi-Lights,partofthespectaculargrowthofthewholePolyhair
carerange.TheBigThreemouthwashes-Listerine.ListermintandOraldene-whichhavedominated
tOhueriremxapraknedtedforSasloesloFnog.rceisalwaysreadytohelpandadviseyouonourproducts.Or,ifyouwish,contact thenamepeoplefeelbetterwith
ourSalesServicesDepartmentatanytimeonEastleigh(0703)61979LWe'llbepleasedtohearfromyou. MitchellHouse.SouthamptonRoad.Eastleigh,Hants.5055RY
R84025. Allbrandnamesaretrademarks.
CHEMISI&
iCONTENTSi
September1,1984
Volume222No5435
125thISySeaNr0o0f0p9u-b3l0i3c3ation Phormacys''greencross'logolaunched
Editor: Reactionismostlyfavourable 332
JohnSkeitonBPharm,MPS PIschemeis'retrograde'
BeLiazuPtlyatEtdsiBtoAr: C&DinterviewsDrJohnGriffin,ABPI'snewdirector 334
AssistantEditor: Contactlenssolutions
PatrickGriceBPharm,MPS Changingattitudestobringmorebusiness 341
BusinessEditor:
PaulSladeBA EPoSinpharmacy
W
AdrieCnonnetrdiebMuotnitngBEPdhiatromr:,MPS Isitgoingourwayatlast? ^\ 343
EditorialAssistont: Christmasgifts
SteAvretnETdiittomra:rsJhohBnPhCalremm,enMtPS Morerangesonshow ? ^ ^ n 19841 358
Photographic
PriceListController:ColinSimpson
Director:JamesLear Specialfeature 363
AdvertPuibsleimsehnetr:MRaonnaagledrS:aPlemtoenrMNiPchSollsIP NewsfromGermany
AssistantAdvertisementManager: Advisoryroleslatedinconsumerreport 370
DougMytton
Production:ShirleyWilson NewEditorandtwoAssistantEditorsforC&D
PublishedSaturdays Detailsoftheappointments 378
byBennPublicationsLtd
SovereignWay,Tonbridge,KentTN9IRW
Telephone:[phone]Telex:95132 Comment 331 Prescriptionspecialities 352
Subscriptions:Home£49perannum.Overseas&Eire TopicalreflectionsbyXrayser 335 Businessnews 372
£(B6puo3rsetpaaegureofeaCxnitrrnacu)u.mlatMiienocmnlsbuedirngofpotshteagAeu.di£t1=pAe=rB=cC^opy Newsextra 336 Comingevents 373
Regionaladvertisementoffices:Midlands;240-244Stratford Letters 336 Classifiedadvertisements 374
Road,Shirley,Solihull,W.MidlandsB903AE021-7444427.
NOolrdtThrafEfaosrtdMaanncdhesNtoerrtMh16We9sHtF:0614-98172C51h5e1s.te-rp Road, Counterpoints 345 People 378
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Downend.BristolBS166BQ0272S64827.
iCOMMENT!
—
Sotheprofessionalhasits to"lookthepart",suchanidentificationis profession'sreputation butitalready
long-awaitedlogo.Itis, withoutdoubtsorelyneeded. hasremediesagainstmemberswho
^ afterall,thegreencrossof Butpublicrecognitionwillcomeonly transgresssuchfundamental
continentalpharmacyas ifthesymbolisdisplayeduniversally requirements.
manyhadexpected,butwithaBritish throughoutcommunitypharmacy,not Surelyitisunreasonabletoexpect
designer'sinterpretation(p332). onlyonthepremises,butin—relationto individualpharmacist—stoseekpermission
Becauseofitspredictability,thelogo mostprofessionalservices inother foreverytypeofuse andevenmore
henatshnuostiabseme,narceccoeridviendgwtiothCe&nnosrmsotursaw wcoonrtdesx,ttohfemceodniscuimneesrinnetehdeshtoomseeeaitnidnitnhe uconnrfeianseontahbelmseetlovaessktbo—uassiinnegslsemseunpptloier—
poll,butontheotherhandt—herehave associationwiththenameofthelocal forfiveyearsnoless withouttheoption
beenfewcomplaintseither whichisa pharmacy.Setonlyamongthecompeting ofacompetitivequote.Where,members
goodsignwheresuchapersonaland storeidentificationsintheHighStreetits willask,doestheNPAstand?Itis,after
subjectivethingasdesignisconcerned.It significancemaywellbelostwithout all,themajorsupplierofmanyofthe
willalmostcertainly"grow"onthe substantialandcontinuing"corporate" independent'sbusinessneeds,andwould
profession,butthemoreimportanttestis advertisingbytheprofession. beexpectedtooffermanyitemswiththe
whetheritimposesitselfontheconsumer's Itisthusofsomeconcerntofindthat logoincorporated.
subconsciousasasymbol,notsomuchof thesymbolcanbereproducedbyno-one Ifthelackofalternativesuppliersor
apharmacy,butofaplacewhere "otherthantheSociety'slicensed theneedforindependents
professioncdhealthadviceandeffective manufacturer".OfcoursetheSocietyis toaskpermission,meansthe
medicinesmaybeobtained.Withthe righttoprotectitscopyright,andtoensure logoisnotused,then i
proliferationofdrugstores,andpoint-of- thatthesymbolisnotusedinawaythat Councilhassome
salepressurebygrocersandotheroutlets woulddootherthanenhancethe explainingtodo.
Chemist&Druggist 1September1984 331
"
iNEWS
—
Logo the 'graphic
pharmacy
face' of
ThewindowsofpharmaciesthroughoutGreatBritainshould
bynowbeburgeoningwithpharmacy'snewsymbolofsafety,
thefacetedgreencrossofthePharmaceuticalSociety,
unveiledonWednesdaybythepresidentoftheRoyal
AcademyofArtsSirHughCasson,asC&Dwenttopress. fundamentallywrongtoproceedwitha
packagewhichwouldrequirethelogo
Thegreencrossidentifiesregistered invitedthem,fromWednesdayofthis beingusedinthethreedifferentareasof
pharmaciesandhasbeeninstituted, week,todisplayacolourstickerofthe pharmacytogether.Formerpresident.
followingacallforasymbolbyPSGB symbolina"prideofplace"positioninthe ProfessorArnoldBeckett,thenvice-
branchrepresentativesattheirannual windowordoorofthepharmacy. president,questionedwhetherCouncil
meetinginMay1982,whentheypasseda Theyweretoldthefunctionsofthenew wasgettingitsprioritiesright.And
Bristolmotionthat:"Councilshould symbolare: anotherformerpresident,MrDavid
recommendauniversallyrecognisedand (1)Toidentifyaprofessiongovernedby Sharpe,saidthatwhileacorporateimage
registeredsymbolfordisplayat charterandstatute,withstrictlegaland fortheSocietyintermsofitsnotepaper,
pharmaciessothepublicmayreadily professionalresponsibilities. publicationsandthebrancheswouldbea
identifysuchpremises." (2)Toenablethepublictorecogniseata worthwhileoperation,togofurtherwas
UnveilingthesymbolattheSociety's glancethoseestablishmentsfromwhich unnecessary.
Londonheadquarters.SirHughCasson medicinescanbeobtainedwiththe Followingdebateinthe
said:"Tobeeffectivemedicinesare safeguardsofqualified,professional correspondencecolumnsofthe
necessarilypotent.Butwhen supervisionandadvice. pharmaceuticalPressaboutthe
misunderstoodormisused,suchpotency Thestickerssentouttopharmaciesare justificationofspendingsomuchonthe
canbedangerous. describedas"temporary".TheSociety designofanewlogo,thebranch
"Pharmacistsaretheexpertson holdstheexclusivecopyrightofthenew representatives,whoayearearlierhad
medicines. symbolandsaysitwillallownodeparture proposedthesymbolattheirannual
"Theiradviceisfreelyavailableandthis from,oradditionto,thedesign. meetinginMay1983,passedamotion
knmiodbnoeetorwnawteisiinfeynaymmgsetbidthlohyeile.cpiwaIrlittalsiwlcoioeleunslnrsaceawtbenislawtebhohlfittechshhpueepemtspohatlpeofylyebeagmertuaeoaf,yrobduynodf Iwgqtuuisaitlpdhiuaafnricppeeord'sotemoiigssietvoeopfhrseoelvrpivdiaecnepdbatyitehntosse p"£rer1dl2oea,ppTt0olih0sooe0anr.sliS,snogMcf"iorerttPhayhe'ciseloxidrpciperoPesracsautitlov,ereifoeidfrxespnpttuepibnutldtyiicbftoaurcrwkeaoirfnd
law,supervisedbythosespecialistsinthe AndtheSocietywiUonlypermit 1979.
healthcareteamwhoseentiretraininghas reproductionofthesignbyGEC HetoldC&Dthat,sofar,theresponse
beendevotedtounderstandingtheuses ClaudgenLtd,ofSouthWay,Wembley frompharmaciststothesymbolhadbeen
andeffectsofdrugsandmedicines. StadiumIndustrialEstate,Wembley, extremelyfavourable:"Therehavebeen
"IcongratulatethePharmaceutical MiddlesexHA9ODF,itshcensed onlytwotelephonecallsfrompharmacists
Societyonproducingthissymbol.In manufacturer. whohavesaidtheywiUnotbeusingthe
doingsoitiscontinuingthefinest Pricesare£80foranilluminated greencross,amongseveraldozenpositive
traditionsofits140yearsofpublic projectingdouble-sidedsign(non- responses."
service." illuminated,£23.50)and£77.50foran MrPaulsaidthatanyindividual
HealthMinisterKennethClarkewas illuminatedwallmountingsingle-sided pharmacistorcompanywishingto
unabletobepresentattheunveilingbut sign(non-illuminated,£23.50).Packing incorporatethesymbolintheirletter-
sentamessagesupportingtheSociety's andcarriageare£6persignwithprices heading,forexample,wouldneedto
"whollydesirableinitiative"andwishing forerectingatypeofsignvaryingwiththe applytothesecretaryandregistrarwho
thenewsymboleverysuccess. distancefromoneofGECClaudgen's13 wouldneeda"fairlyclearindication"of
HopPkhianrMmaacdeduotcickaslaiSdocaitetthyepurnevseiidleinntgDr ndeetpootfsV.ATTheacnodmfpiarmnyfosraaylslotrhdeeprrsicreesceairveed theAwasyinitgwleasmapnruofpaocsteudretoruhsaesibt.een
ceremony:"Thisoccasionmakeshistory beforeDecember31,1984. licensedtoproducesignsincorporating
forBritishpharmacy. ThedesignwasproducedbyStuart thesymboltoprotectagainstincorrect
"Itisthefirsttimetheprofessionhas RoseofAlliedInternationalDesigners, versionsofthedesignappearinginthe
soughttoinvestitselfwithaninstantly- London,aspartofanoverallcorporate publiceye,saysMrPaul.Thedecisionwas
recognisablegraphic'face'.Itspurposeis identityschemeforthePharmaceutical takenbyCouncilontheadviceof
toprovidepatientswithapromiseof Societyandtheprofession. solicitorsandfollowssimilarmovesby
servicebythosequalifiedtogivehelpand Councilagreedamaximum othercorporatebodies.
guidance.Wehopeitwillaidthesafety expenditureforthispurposeof£12,000 TheGECClaudgenagreementisfor
andwell-beingofall. backinNovember1983aftersome fiveyears.Thecompanyhasbeen
Inalettersentoutbythepresidentlast oppositionatthatmonth'smeeting.The inundatedbytelephoneinquiriesabout
weektopharmacistsinchargeofall Society'spresident,DrMaddock,thena thenewsign.
communitypharmacies,DrMaddock memberofCouncil',suggesteditwas Thefirstsignswillbecomingoffthe
332 Chemist&Druggist 1September2984
.
NEWS
productionlineina"coupleofweeks". Maltown face
Anyvariationonthestandardsignsfora
fmaosrcieaewxiplelnhsaivvee,totbheeytsaaiyl.or-madeandbe parallel export
DirectoroftheNational
PharmaceuticalAssociation,MrTim prosecution
Astill,toldC&D:"Weunreservedly
welcometheideaofthelogo. MaltownLtd,acompanybetter
"Somemeansbywhichthepubliccan knownforitsparallelimport
wturisehlceelomoegfnnftcirhsooeeumsrpdkahirlgaulersgmtosafhtcetoihrpeeeusspbihaHsanclrdomtnaodgcimifoafsvetkre.eerndbtueieta.tteeIrt KpacautraiavllialteiLleuse,mxpipsuofrra,tciMinnagglfapryrosomisaet,chueftoUirKo.nin
"Butwemustexpresssomemild Thecompanyhasbeenservedwritsby
cboyntcheerSnocthiaettyonwlilylmbaenupfearcmtiutrteedrstolicensed oSftfe,rblirnegacDhruogftIrnacdoefmNaerkw,Yaonrdkhfborelpassing PrehcaerimvaicnigstacPheetqeurefCoarir£n5s00ifsropmicRtaudrieodl
producethesign.Theeffectivenessofthe followingtheexportofPanadoltablets ChemicalsLtdrepresentiveStanleyBell.
logowillbelimitedbyrestrictingits fromtheUK,andforadvertisingthemin He won a Radian window display
abvuasiilnaebsishtayi.dsMadneupfaarcttmuernetrwsilulsneodtbbyeoaubrle theMTahleacyassieanistdruadeetPorbeessh.eardonOctober cproimzpeetwiitinonneraslo—ngwCi.thSttwroacohtahne,rrFeegriroinnagl
tohelpourmembersastheyarenot 1.Maltownhavealreadyfiledadefence pharmacy,WestSussex,andTipper&Co,
hcensed." andcounterclaim.Sterlinghavebeen Stoke-on-Trent.
Hesaidherecognisedtheneedforthe seekinganinterlocutoryinjunctionin
Societytoreteiincompletecontrolofthe KualaLumpur. "Themultinationalsdonotwantdrugs
buitbtuhussetsediiSiontsofetmctsriuhisesbettauysit,nidigoosMntnt,r.bhaAeeAnssNstdioaPlwlrAmhesasewajtriorodeiur.clitstdiumvpbeapealysiteaatrplokpoliefinamgirt,to MmptcrhaieanlsnPaaeyaigntsntiiialanmyd,pgooeMldrxritpirsoseM,rmcattaalsonncrmud,ooflssareamceyetsTsp.uohtrwhHaeinirsds,maalcsMocoacaelamulttptelosiaywtcnincayn'alssse. mctMoaaerncrkrTcteoroktsasssSd,tnhe"oaaptMmriiarptor.en"Tka&olawfcDrntooihnsotamniyeesh'r.asss"iITpnnrthdoeeovyocetdinhdoet-reaRdllbtehienyg
scrtoasgHseeitnhsaactiodtrhpteohrNearPetAewaacdsovuenlrotdiiusnsidneigct.ahteiognreatenthis "mFIarfreakAnemcturhsletaciigtenacnaitotnuisrloutdnlhaikilnisglclifamoonfprfodSpromatrietatrhlihlisenKflloSierixnnepegxo&paroptrsot.r"e aScMvaKSap&iDsluFalabheclaceavosaresodeniasenptgaoalrfbyahtlmhsleoehidleriditfmaripaecoddlreettmahiearni-rrtekhUnsedKaeUndKd.
'Somemeansbywhichthepublic hasclosedthatmarkettohim.Inthiscase preparation.ButEuropeanIndocidstill
canrecognisepharmaciesanddif- theloccilTagametismanufacturedin hasthe"old"UKconfigurationwitha
ferentiatethemfromdrugstoresis Australiaandisstillunderpatent.His clearend.Importisthusabreachoftrade
longoverdue' importerwascitedforbreachofpatent. mark.
SuperintendentpharmacistofBoots
ttlwuipiicsaenhnhvonsthetseeanuteaeltuisdeerssCfcblirynftmhyaoydiditaeambemcnoebmticbrigedUhibhyeoaestsrnittt.lyhttnoahipisiHeronotdinn,fonoeidcigtfetwmnhaMtaenhieeaoirtstpemvliitisneataleofDitenrtoyoroh.giamwrnn,evaiMgagetvn.sadeewnoetdyenrreeaChsmcsdnpkrtoiab,htreeowrgwoarnsoehsnslvmlmfawiib.eaayufogceyslnonntWhh:r.ddtmea,ehie"idsexgiWschnSheltoaauclsuliisebveteey CTMDaLT1i9heew8celdpom1eiafniicparrcsierrtetnenosmisep)ebnitsoneo(scitC(AdelrnEotidagxfinmecaicHllmcimeeapraee3ltcltnuoitTfdlrnohriaOm.natrieltfedsndare)torbslOmssyrostdtaoehsterthoe PtDLatisr.inadeuhhvfvanceeMioseehmCmSasorr,iusoanmofsoocLmfsernttnhomr,oahari,nmenesaaeMldynaRtaeLsciootxiroiustnscwenkipodefmohepiSbmonnptshyesrWctce1f)mTiiio84rotaonwon2rtwwwghtn51eiiaeii,NAolrosNnlcunQrsDuothda.,(etHvhilrimdoss1eiSnaoracamcNlSiosy.blbintuewMentyedeeierxrifldncenolE3uiqlrgl0eactuudmsihitd.swontreiheeMtedshrtiof
"Intherneantimeweshallnotusethe estabhshthattherestrictionsimposedby
temporarystickerbutwearepreparinga section31(4)oftheActdonotapplyto
suitablecardfordisplayinourwindows." medicinalproductsimportedforthe No PL/PIs yet
MrCroslandsaidhewas"very purposeofaclinicaltrialwherethose
hopeful"thiscardwouldbeondisplayin productswouldotherwisebeexemptedby TheDepartmentofHealthagain
bsGrurpaeeneFrcnoihr,netRts.eolntGdhdioeCsnr&wtdeDope:hnka."DrWmraeucmiamrsoetnhMdar,pGp.yBt.o AtrrheteaisTrcoehlnqeeuo4sfi(erlS)ceI(moc1en)9(nd8it)1ps/rao1onf6pd4to.h(seiei)1di9na8m1oreOdnreddrmeteronbitnrtiiosngto sbiaumitpdotrththeiylsiwwceeenrecekesetxhhpaatedcntboeepdea"nrqaiulsilsteueled,
complywiththerequesttodisplaythenew linewiththoseforchnicaltrialcertificates, shortly,inacoupleofweeks".
symbol:brancheswillbeaskedtodoso. (asprovidedforbytheMedicines ASpokesmantoldC&D—thatapphcations
Wewillseektoincorporatethesymbolin [StandardProvisionsforLicencesand werecominginsteadily some700had
labels,bags,shopfasciasetcona Certicates]Regulations1971SI1971/972 beenreceivedsofar.Over300ofthese
permanentbasisinthefuture. schedule1partII) comefromtheAssociationofParallel
MrK.Light,superintendentofCross& InfuturesuppHerstakingadvantageof Importers.HealthDepartmentofficialsare
Herbert,saidthesymbolwasasensible theexemptionwiUberequiredtogivean stillexaminingthelegahtyofitsproposal
step:brancheswoulddisplaythesticker. undertakingtotheLAthattheywillinform ofan"agency"schemeformembers.
Chemist&Druggist 1September1984 333
.
NEWS
PI scheme is Retrograde'
new
says ABPI's director
ThenewdirectoroftheAssociationof couldmisleadbecauseitisafluctuating
theBritishPharmaceuticalIndustry,Dr risk,ofmajorproportionsononeday,and
lohnGriffin,hascalledthe ofminorsignificancethenext.
Government'snewlicensingschemefor Similarly,hesays,thenumbersof
parallelimportsa"retrogradestep". pharmacist—swhohaveindulgedinparallel
HetoldC&D,"Ihavegreatdoubts, importing andar—estillinvolvedin
havingbeenintheDepartmentofHealth, parallelimporting variesconsiderably
thatyoucouldputyourhandonyourheart indifferentpartsofthecountry.
andgivethesameassuranceofsafety, "Wethinksomethingintheregionof
qualityandefficacythatyoucanifa 30-40percentofpharmacistshave
producthasafulllicence." importedparallelmedicinesatsometime.
DrGriffinjoinedtheABPIinAugust However,weareratherpleasedthebulk
aftera13-yearspellattheDepartmentof havenotcompromisedtheirprofessional
Health'smedicinesdivision,finishingasits integrity."Thesumsinvolvedarevariously
professionalhead.Butdespitehis estimatedtobebetween£60mand£100m
reservations,heishopefulthatthe annually.
scheme,togetherwithitsscrutinybythe DrGriffinsayspharmacistsarestill
Department,wiUminimise"someofthe buyingparallelimportseventhoughno
horrors"thatcouldarisefromparallel PL/PIshavesofarbeenissuedbythe
importing,suchaspossibleadverse Department."Myviewisthatthisis usedbutitisspeedyandefficientandnon-
reactionscausedbythediffering illegal." alarmist,saysDrGriffin.
bioavailabilityandexcipientsofsome However,hebelievestheDepartment Andhewantsthereimbursementof
imports. willnotact."Itisafraidthatwhatisillegal pharmacistsadjustedsothatthosemaking
DrGriffindescribesparallelimporting inUKlegislationmaynotbeupheldifan "windfallprofits"fromthetaxpayerare
as"arealbeeinhisbonnet"andsaysheis appealismadetotheEuropeanCourt." discouraged.ThePIprocesswouldthen
concernedaboutitforanumberof Hesaystheexampleofsomeonelike belessfinanciallyattractive.
reasons. theDanishEuroMP,Kent,whowasfined Anotherofhishobby-horsesisoriginal
"Asataxpayeritirritatesmethatdrugs underBritishlawforfishinginBritish packdispensing,whichhewouldliketo
arebeingimportedandacquiredcheaply waters,butgotthesentencequashedwhen seeintroduced.DrGriffinsaysitallows
andthatthosereductionsinpricesarenot hewenttotheEuropeancourts,couldact productidentificationincluding
beingreflectedinwhattheNHSispaying asadeterrenttoenforcement. manufacturerandbatchnumber,integrity
pharmacists". "Myviewisthatwe(theUK)should andqualityassurance;istamper
"Asadoctoritirritatesmebecause havestuckwithArticle36oftheTreatyof detectable;ischild-resistant;provides
thereisaveryrealriskthatweareheading Rome;saidtherewasapublicsafety opportunitiesforon-packpatient
foramajortumble".Thismightoccur hazard;actedagainsttheimporters,and information,andfacilitatesproductrecall.
becauseofdifferingbioavailabilityin thenweatheredthestorm." "MyviewisthattheUKpracticeof
ih"bymrppieotrrtttlees"ncswaihuveseinsnatgshde"iyraewbfeertraiecctsnoorttyo,"bwehleabnetlhleedyas Twheearreeihseaardeianlgrifsokrtahmatajor ispnuapctphklesydiisinsagpnemanesndiainccgihnrmeeostmhiloasrdmgsetlhoayftfthhraeosm1i9bttsuhlrokots
werenot,andepilepticsasbeing"outof tumble' century."
control"whentheywerenot.Differing DrGriffinbelievesthatderegulationof
excipientsinimportscouldcause,for HesaysthatiftheDepartmentissuesa thepharmaceuticalindustrycanbringits
example,lactoseintoleranceortartrazine PL/PIforoneproductfromaparticular benefits.Hecitestheclinicaltrial
allergy,saysDrGriffin. sourcetoonlyoneparallelimporterthen, exemptionscheme,muchcriticisedonits
Andheaddsthatnotallparallel intheeventofaproductrecall,tracingthe introductionin1981bysomeMPsandby
importsaremanufacturedintheEEC batchwillbefairlystraightforward.But opponentsoftheindustryandofthe
"Weknowthatparallelimportingis thetypeofblocklicenceproposedbythe regulatoryauthority,aslikelytoresultina
occuringfromcountriesoutsideEurope. AssociationofPharma:ceuticalImporters "rash"ofadversedrugreactions;"Itdid
Someare'first'oreven'secoundbounce' mightcoveraparticularproductobtained nosuchthing,"hesays."Itenabledalot
productshavingbeenmadeelsewhere." fromavarietyofEECsourcesmaking morenewchemicalentitiestobe
DrGriffinsayssomeproducts"land" productrecalldifficult."Itwillnotbe evaluatedintheUK(up100percentinthe
intheEECandarepackagedthere. beyondthewitofman,butitwillbe firstyear)atnoincreasedrisktothe
Othersenterintheirfinalformandhave cumbersome. patient."Itcreatedmorejobswithinthe
anEEClicence. "Ithinkitwillbeextremelyalarmistif industryandincreasedthemoneyspentby
TheotheraspectofgreatconcerntoDr youhavetoputoutageneralwarning companiesonexternalclinicalresearch.
Griffinisthatofdrugforgery."Forged aboutdrug'X',withoutspecificdetailsof "British-basedindustryisinvesting
productsareavailableontheContinent identification.Alotofpeoplereceiving moremoneyinresearchthanitismaking
andmaybeimportedingoodfaithby perfectlyrespectablematerialwillbe fromitsNHSprofits,"hesays."Andevery
parallelimporters."Althoughfigureson alarmed."Thepresentrecallsystemfor pieceofevidenceIhaveisthatitwill
thisproblemareavailable,hesaysthey productswithafuUlicencerarelyhastobe continuetoinvest."
334 Chemist&Druggist 1September1984
TOPICAL
REFLECTIONS
ByXroyser
DrGriffinwillnotcommentonthe AndyettheGovernmentwimpsand
desirabilityofanalternativetothe Too late? wincesat"thesizeoftheproblem",which
PharmaceuticalPriceRegulationScheme. inmyviewisunderestimatedbyafactorof
tcSoaunocnphoertsactthaeekemineasacccmoouumsnpttloiofcfnaeetvceeedrssyairnteuyaabanencsdeimple Aprofprriieentdaorfiemsinneo,wainfohrisme7r0sm,adnruofpasctiunroenruosf tsoetnne,pthswiristimsnahgtostueiltrdsshtuaagknged.essStaosnftdahrawtiotinsfdpseeorrmsfeowrshoma-atnce
requiredbytheindustry:thePPRSfitted occasionally.Lasttime,hearrivedwitha called"responsiblepeople"werestanding
thebill.Personally,hewouldliketosee caseofbooksandarticleshethought ontheparapetofLondonBridge:"One
suchschemesgivinggreaterincentivesto mightinterestme.Amongstthemwasa smallstep(forward)forman,wouldequal
industryforinnovativeresearch, bookletcalled:"Beforeit'stoolate" onegiantforwardstepformankind?"
particularlyintonewtherapeutic publishedbytheCityofInverness,
concepts. Florida,USA. Not for me?
DrGriffindoesnotbelievethat Inviewoftheappallingfigures
manufacturersshouldberestrictedto releasedbytheGovernmentconcerning
introducingproductsontothemarketonly drugabuseinBritain,Ithinkitisworth Ihavetoadmit,Ihavebeensorely
iftheyappearlikelytohaveadvantages quotingtheintroductionsinceitillustrates tempted.Theyoungsalesmanopenedhis
overexistingproducts."No-onesetsoutto howserioustheproblemisintheUSA, bagtodiscloseyetanotherarrayofethical
marketaninferiordrugandtheproper andhowonestatesetaboutmakingits productsmanufacturedabroadatprices
placeofaproductintherapymayonlybe citizensawareoftheproblem. markedlybelowthoseIampaying.Washe
determinedaftermarketing". Itbegan:"Dearparent.Oursocietyis anewwholesaler?I'mafraidnot.Justthe
Onproductliabilityhebelievesthere plaguedbyadiseasewhichaffectsour frontmanforaPIfirm,obviouslycaught
mustalwaysbea"stateoftheartof mostvaluedandlovedmembers,our withitsstocksup(anditspantsdown)
defence":thisisboththeABPI'sandthe children.Thedisease...isdrugabuse. whenthelicensingrequirementwas
Government'sposition."Inshort,yes, Allofushavearesponsibilitytotheyouth imposedanddesperatetounload.
thereisaprobleminthishighlycomplex ofourcommunitytoprovidethemwiththe ItseemstheSouthisnottheonlypartof
area.ButI,likemostothers,donotknow bestpossibleeducationandguidance thecountrytoreceivetheattentionofthese
whatthesolutionsare." concerningdrugabuse. itinerants.Theirargumentsarebasedon
Regardingthequestionof "Inthecomingmonths,thepolice the"Whynot?No-onewillknow,andyou
compensationinthisarea,inthecaseof departmentinco-operationwiththe canclaimthefullprice"tackwhichcanbe
pertussisvaccinewhereexgratia CountySheriff'sofficeandlocalandstate singularlyattractiveifyouarenaturally
paymentshavebeenmadebythe agencieswillincreaseitseffortstocurbthe dishonestorarehard-pressedfinancially
Governmentunder"nofaultliability,the useandsaleofillegaldrugs.Thisbooklet ...orjustfallible.
DHSSandregionalhealthauthoritiesare isthefirststepinourdrugawareness ForawhileIlookedatthingslike
nGreivfefritnheslayess.sbeingsuedfordamages,Dr progThriasmmboeo.k"letwasputoutin1981and Awadvaelraetdm.aTdheebmyoBraeyseorbiencGaeursmeaitnlyoo.k.s.aasnd
TurningtotheDebendoxsituationhe gaveaclearpictureofthemainareasof thoughthosewhohadlessregardforthe
believestheproducthasbeentotally drugabuse,includingalcohol.Ithoughtit long-termconsequencesofsuchbuying,
destroyedbycertainsectionsofthemedia alarmingbutitwasessentiallyabooklet andhavecreamedthefatprofits,wUlgo
andsomepohticians."Ithasnevershown takingapositivelineintryingtoshowthat, unscathed?I'mblowedifIamgoingto
upasateratogenicproblemonany withparentinvolvementandiiiterest giveinnow,butbegintoknowafreshthe
adversereactionsregister.Andno (meaningmorethanapolitenodinthe feeling,lastexperiencedinraw
regulatoryauthorityanywhereinthe generaldirectionofthekids)the adolescence,whenmadetofeellessthan
world,havinglookedatthedrug,hassaid conditionswhichleadtodrug modembythosesosophisticatedsmart
itisteratogenic." experimentationcouldbelargelyavoided. catswhoknewitall.Mymothersaidthey
OnanothermatterDrGriffinwantsthe ButwhatIfoundmostrevealingwasthe wouldcometoabadend.Ialways
ABPItoactmorepositivelytorectifythe underlyingacceptancethatdrugswere doubteditmyself.
industry'spoorimage."Moreisexpected freelyavailable,andthattheproblemwas
ofthepharmaceuticalindustryintermsof anationwideone,witheachstatehaving I'm not cross
itspracticesandethicsthananyother it'sownstateagencydealingwithdrugand
industry." alcoholabuse.Butnowherethehintof
HepointsoutthatinaUthecurrent politicalfermentforGovernmentactionon Sothenewsisout.Officially,followingon
welterofpublicitysurroundingorgan anationalscaletopreventtheimportsor theheelsoftherumourIheardlastweek.
tarrarnasypolfandtriunggs,tnhoatmemnatkieonsuischmaopdeeraotfitohnesa manuPfearchtauprsewiofththteheprwoidduectbso.rderstothe WXreayhear'vsesaulgoggeos,tiaonnd.gAuegsrseewnhactr!osYse!sIit's
success."Thesurgicaltechniquesareold Souththisisanimpossibleproblemforthe supposethat'swhytheyhungaboutsolong
beyxacmopmlpearoifstohne.p"hHaremsaacyesutthiicsailsainndustry UimSpAor?ts..bByusttietpipsni'ntgheurpe.olWde-fcaoshuilodnceodnsttryolle befoPreerthhaepysftihnealylcyosullidpnp'etdbtehaerctoovaedrmsiotffI.
notsingingitssongwhenithasa Customssurveillance.Wecoulddobetter hadsuggestedthebest(andonly)symbol.
therapeuticsuccessstorytopublicise. thanblowathirdofourgrossnational I'msurprisedtheydidn'thavethecourtesy
"Theindustryneedsanenvironment productonweaponsofdestructionwhich todropmeevenahttlelineofthanks.ButI
tmhaantnweirll.cWilelowaritetonoftunacstkiionngifnorashpeeaclitahly cgaennunienveermabsesiusveedi.nvInessttemaedntwientcoouoludrputa usnhdreurgsotfafntdhetsheemoiffniociralslmigihntsd,neovwenatnhdocuagnh
treatment. chUdreil,theireducation,andthemeans I'mwonderinghowIamtogoabout
achi"eMvyemienntetnstimoonriestwoidmealkyektnhoewinndaunstdry's tiondadedvietlioopn,thseetmasinitdoefsuulbfsitllaendtiaadlulftosr.eAignnd culpa?iOminngsemcyonpdortthiooungohftst,heth£e12p,o0i0nt0hcaarsve-
aapnpdrfeocricaetfeudlfinaspheirohn.a"psamorepositive maaitdefroiratlhsewahcitcuhalarperoadbuucseerds.oftheraw bTeheeyncmaandeb,easromIHybceromsasg.n.a.nfiormforuees....
Chemist&Druggist 1September1984 335
NEWS EXTRA
wasfoundbypohceinamatterofminutes appealingtotheSecretaryofState.An
Prison follows butMrJenningssurrenderedtopohce apphcationbyadoctortostartdispensi—ng
onlyafteranaU-nightsiege. inHeathfield,Sussexhasbeenrefused
drug theft RDC report goes haansotbheeernapgprhacnattedioinnipnarnte.arbyHailsham
Twomenhavebeengiven
concurrentfiveyearprison to Secretary Not g new idea
sentencesatMaidstoneCrown
pChouarrtmaacfitesrttRhaenyvaidrmMiatntegdalroabtbhiinsg AofrtehpeorRturoanltDhiesfpiersntsyienagrCoofmbmuistitneeses Tnohtehiidneganoefwp,hMarrmaR.ciDsitcskipnrseosnc,ridbeipnugtiys
Stroodpharmacyof£80worthof hasbeensubmittedtotheSecretary secretaryofthePharmaceuticalSociety,
drugsandpossessinganimitation ofStatewithrecommendationsthat assertsinalettertotheBritishMedical
firearm. itshouldbecirculated. Journal.
MrMarkJenningswasalsogivena BecausetheRDCisnotboundto "Itrelatestoanactivitywhich
consecutiveoneyearsentenceforusing produceareportnomoneyhasbeen pharmacistshavebeenundertakingas
animitationfirearmwithintenttoresist allocatedtoitsproductionand longas—pharmacieshavebeenopentothe
arrest;headmittedthatoffence.Also distribution.HowevertheCommitteefeels public namely,givingadvicewithor
accusedwasMrJohnathanChambers. itisausefuldocumentwhichshouldbe withoutthesaleofamedicine,"hesays.
' AreportintheKentEveningPostsays circulatedonahmitedbasistothefamily Themedicalprofessionhaspreviously
JudgeMargaretCosgravetookaccountof practitionercommittees,local acceptedandwelcomedsuchactivity.
theirlonghistoryofdrugaddictionwhen pharmaceuticalcommitteesandtheir "Theuseofsuchtermsasprescribing,or
sentencingthem,andthat,atthetimeof medicalcounterparts,andtheprofessional discussionsaboutwhetherthesupplyof
theoffences,theyweresufferingfrom Press.Nodecisionhasbeenmadeyet. certainproductsbypharmacistsshouldbe
withdrawalsymptoms. AnRDCdecisiontoallowapharmacy withintheNHS,shouldnotobscurethe
AftertherobberythemenfledtoMr toopeninFleckney,Leics,hasbeen precisenatureofthistraditional
Jennings'parents'home.MrChambers delayedastheparishcouncilare pharmaceuticalactivity."
LETTERS
RPA's rallying osenrfviincaenscwiaelairnetetrreysitnsgrtaothiemrptrhoavnetfhoerthe suchAnfaiotphpiosritllunrietwyarwidleldb.eavailableforall
AGM patient. ruralpharmaciststoshowtheireagerness
call to Butheresurelyisanappealtorural todosomethingpositiveatourannual
doctorstofightfortheimprovementof meetingonNovember3-4.Makethisdate
theirpositiontothecostofpractisingrural nowwithus.Onlyyoucandosomething
Doesonehavetolookanyfurtherthanthe pharmacists.Areruralpharmacistsgoing positive.Don'tleaveittothepharmacistin
reportedresponsetotheformationofthe tositbackandaUowthistohappen?Can thenextvillage.
newDispensingDoctorAssociation,to theynotseethatthereisnolimittowhich JohnDavies,
showwhyruralpharmacistsareinsuch somedoctorswillreachinordertofeather Secretary,RuredPharmacistsAssociation,
jeopardy? theirnests? Wiveliscombe,Somerset.
Ithasbeenstatedthatsome1,000rural TheRPAhasrepeatedlyandconstantly
doctorshaveansweredthequestionnaire warnedagainstthisprogresstowards
outofatotalofaround3,500whowere monopolyofmedico-pharmaceutical
approached.Foramembershipfeeof£10 power.Thedoctorsdon'tlikebeing 7fo go'to logo
thisAssociationisgoingtofightfor constantlyremindedoftheir —
discountsfromdrugmanufacturersand pharmaceuticalactivities;theyliketheir another PI
pharmaceuticcdwholeseders.ItwUlseekto hiddenperkstoremainhidden.Yethereis
changetheClothierregulationstobenefit ablatantexampleofwhatisbehindall
dispensingdoctorsevenfurther.Andit theiractions.Theevidenceisstaringusin Themorningpostproducedthelong
hopestocombattheargumentsofthe theface.Nowmorethaneverweneeda awaited"logo".WitheageranticipationI
RuralPharmacistsAssociationandseek responsibleandunifiedeffortfromall toreopentheenvelope,butwhatalet
outinformationaboutwhatisgoingon partsofthecountry. down.Notcontentwithpareillelimported
behindthescenesregardingpossible TheRPAwillcontinuetofighton drugsInowfindtomydismaywehave
changesornegotiationsteikingplaceon behalfofeillruralpharmacists,tofightto importedtheContinentedGreenCrossas
pharmaceuticalmatters.Allthishas ensurethatruralpatientsgetawide well.
nothingataUtodowithruralpatients. ranging,professionallyrunservicebut Aspublicrelationsofficerformylocal
Doestheresponsenotshowhow yoursupportisessential.Weneedtoknow branchIfindmyselfinthedifficult
intenselyinterestedruraldoctorsare thatoureffortsaresupportedbyrural situationofhavingtoselltothepublic
regardingtheprofitstheyintendtograb.I pharmaciststhroughoutthecountry.If somethingIdonotlike.Itwillprobably
wonderiftheresponsewouldhavebeenas everasignalhasbeenhttoshowthe growonusashaveotherthingsthathave
greatiftheaimswere90percentpatient intentionsofdispensingdoctorsthisisit. beenfoisteduponus.
orientated.Iwonderwhetherrural Don'tbenaiveinsupposingthatyour DavidPoile,
pharmacistswouldrespondinlikemanner doct—orfriendwon'tdoanythingtoharm Chairman,WealdofKentBranch,
tothedoctors,iftheRPA'saimswerebased you manypharmacistshavelearntthat PharmaceuticalSociety.
336 Chemist&Druggist 1September1984
Unpacking a case of Classic
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towardsothervaluableprizes. aMinkdesFeanldlotno,:ChemistsDivision,Sales
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