Pharmacy Board Policy On Labelling Of Drugs

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30442, 16 May 1964, Page 19

Pharmacy Board Policy On Labelling Of Drugs

“The statement made in the monthly newsletter of the New Zealand branch of the British Medical Association that the Pharmacy Board of New Zealand is opposed to the proper names being included on the labels of containers of all drugs issued under doctors’ prescriptions needs amplification,” says Mr G. W. Jackman, registrar of the Pharmacy Board, in a letter to “The Press.” “It is true that, in seeking the views of the B.M.A. on this proposal, the board did express its concern that this procedure would involve divulging the secrecy of the prescription ... a departure from long established pharmaceutical practice,” says Mr Jackman. “The board did this partly because, in the past, it has always been the prerogative of the doctor to decide whether or not the name of the drug should be stated and to direct the chemist accordingly; and partly because

the proposal will involve the chemist in problems which may not be apparent to the general public. “While appreciating the necessity of being able to quickly identify drugs which are involved in cases of accidental poisoning, it appears to the board that some system should be devised which would prevent patients from recommending drugs to others with ‘similar’ symptoms, and which would discourage self-medication and, inevitably, pressure being applied to chemists to supply drugs the names of which have become known to the public but which the chemist by law cannot supply without a doctor’s prescription. “Since receiving the B.M.A.’s advice that its council supports the labelling of drugs, the board is giving the matter further consideration and it is hopeful of being able to suggest a solution which will overcome these problems.”