{"id":4327,"date":"2020-01-27t15:48:50","date_gmt":"2020-01-27t15:48:50","guid":{"rendered":"\/\/www.aselpijama.com\/?p=4327"},"modified":"2020-01-27t16:13:40","modified_gmt":"2020-01-27t16:13:40","slug":"in-defense-of-pharmacists","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"\/\/www.aselpijama.com\/in-defense-of-pharmacists\/","title":{"rendered":"in defence of pharmacists"},"content":{"rendered":"

if you were watching itv\u2019s this morning on friday 17th<\/sup>\njanuary, you may have witnessed some derogatory \u2013 and frankly dangerous \u2013\ncomments about the role of pharmacists in the community. <\/p>

sitting alongside vanessa feltz on the famous sofa,\njournalist sam delaney claimed pharmacists are \u2018fake doctors\u2019, and all they do is\n\u2018collect bottles of pills from the shelf\u2019. presenter eamonn holmes then\nquestioned the integrity of pharmacists by insinuating they have an ulterior\nmotive to sell particular types of medication. <\/p>

so far, the segment has generated over 2300 complaints\nto ofcom and this week the pha uk has submitted its own. <\/p>

we stand with the royal\npharmaceutical society<\/a> who\nsay that rather than disparaging pharmacists on national television, we should\nbe \u201crecognising and promoting the vital role pharmacists play in providing\nhealthcare and supporting patients.\u201d<\/p>

in a statement, their president sandra gidley added: \u201cpharmacists\nhave a huge amount to offer the nhs and we work extensively across the nhs.\npharmacists, including myself, were infuriated by the comments made denigrating\na profession which on a daily basis saves people\u2019s lives<\/em>.\u201d<\/em><\/em><\/p>

pharmacists play a vital role within the uk\u2019s\nspecialist pulmonary hypertension service. they train for years, are very\nhighly skilled, and are responsible for helping ensure patients get the most\nout of the complex treatment therapies available for ph. <\/p>

dr iain armstrong, chair of the pha uk, said: \u201cas chair\nof this charity and a healthcare professional too, i believe the comments made\non this morning were dangerous and i can\u2019t condemn them enough. <\/em><\/p>

\u201cwhilst i\nunderstand the views expressed were those of an individual, giving them a\nnational platform is extremely damaging to the pharmacist profession. <\/em><\/p>

\u201ci strongly believe mr delaney should have been taken\noff air following his first spurious claim, that pharmacists are \u2018pretend\ndoctors\u2019. to be allowed to continue to degrade the role of pharmacists is\nshocking and extremely disappointing.<\/em><\/p>

\u201cpharmacists are true experts and are often more\nqualified and experienced in drug interactions than a medical doctor. many\nthese days, like those in the specialist ph service, are prescribers too \u2013 and\noften doctors will refer to the expertise of pharmacists themselves for advice\nand direction.\u201d<\/em><\/p>

community pharmacists are also hugely important. they\nsave millions of pounds for the nhs, and we encourage you to use them to their\nfull potential. with most open late nights, and weekends too, they can also be\nfar more convenient than waiting for a gp appointment or contacting your\nspecialist ph centre. <\/p>

here\u2019s what your\ncommunity pharmacy can help with:<\/p>