David,
>It sounds rather odd to keep a product POM but then
>widen markedly the range of who can give the P.
It comes as a consequence of the Crown report (Part 1), which legitimises
prescribing under protocol by non-doctors.
>And what is meant by
>suitably trained pharmacists?
That would be defined in the protocol.
>Again, from where will the suitably trained pharmacist
>prescribe it, having taken a history and, if required, carried out an
>examination?
Presumably the consulting rooms that the RPSGB have been on about for years
will finally find a use.

> Will every shop have a suitably trained pharmacist or will
>they be few and far between
I imagine the training will a condition of employment by Tescos pharmacies
(who actually have the consulting rooms), are open weekends and bank
holidays.

>If the patient has to seek out a suitably
>trained pharmacist then why not find her own properly trained GP?
Funnily enough I once took the opportunity of introducing a doctor to one of
his patients on a Saturday afternoon at a Tescos pharmacy. One Saturday
afternoon old lady came in asking advice about her 40 year old Downs son.
She was "too frightened" to see the new doctor who had taken over after her
old GP had retired. I couldn't find out her name, but did find out who her
doctor was.
I found out from the dispensing technician that she came in every Saturday
afternoon.
Anyway the next Tuesday (from another pharmacy) I spoke to her GP who had
not the faintest idea of who she was, but was concerned (new) enough to
agree to do his weekly shopping at Tescos the following Saturday afternoon
so that I could introduce them.

What's the point of the story. Just to point out that there are many reasons
for not going to the GP.

>Is the
>pharmacist going to be available at 6 o'clock on a Sunday or whenever folk
>are pointing the finger at GPs and saying they aren't around?
At Tescos, yes.
>Sorry, not
>a good idea - back to the drawing board.
For once we disagree <BG>. To me, pharmacist prescribing (depending on the
protocol) makes sense in a way that pharmacy supply under current
regulations does not.

> But why bother - there is a
>perfectly good system already - and weekends are only two days long so GPs
>are always available when needed.
Because:
Trying to get an "urgent appointment" on a Monday morning isn't the easiest
thing in the world (getting through on the phone is difficult enough most
Monday mornings!)

Having to take the morning off work to sit in a waiting room isn't
everyone's idea of convenient.

If only way to get pass the receptionist and have an "urgent appointment" is
by being obliged to disclose the reason for the urgency to the receptionist,
it isn't everyone's idea of confidentiality.

Regards

Jeff Green

Community Locum and Consultant Pharmacist

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