PHARMACY EXAMINATIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19405, 13 August 1926, Page 8

PHARMACY EXAMINATIONS.

Sir, —A phase of the discussion regarding the pharmacy examinations which it may be opportune to consider is the utility of the section B. It may be presumed that the primary object of the examinations is to see that students arc proficient in subjects "which will be of genuine practical use to them in earning a living and catering' to the Ordinary demands of the public. To this extent the subjects set for the C 7 examination, comprising materia medica and pharmacy, are of very real assistance, but the subjects for section B, namely, botany and chemistry, are mainly theory and afe of small practical value compared to the years of study involved. Among the factors which are tending to restrict the fccope of pharmacy as a profession may be mentioned the more general medical use of biological products and methods of treatment not requiring drugs of the pharmacopoeia, the increasing competition of Friendly Societies' dispensaries and the sale by grocers, drapers and bargain stores of many lines rightly pertaining to pharmacy at prices often below cost, merely for advertising purposes. These and other factors adversely affect the prospects of pharmacy as a profession, and it would appear an opportune time to consider broadening the scope of the section B examination by modifying the study of the more difficult branches of.botany and chemistry and substituting therefor a more varied and useful course of studies. The public, for instance, expects a pharmacist to be able to render first-aid in cases of accident, pending the arrival of medical assistance, and a course in first-aid and ambulance work would be a most useful acquisition. Most pharmacists have a large sale for photographic goods. To get a better grasp of this, important branch of the trade students should acquire both a practical and theoretical knowledge of the chemical changes that take place dur•u'? the processes of developing and printing. Also, New Zealand is primarily a dairying country and a knowledge of the anatomy of the horse and the cow would be a distinct advantage to a pharmacist commencing business in the country. The objections io the inclusion of these subjects of almost daily use to pharmacists are that they are unorthodox, that other countries do not include them in *he course of studies arid that they should be taught by the master to the student during the course of apprenticeship. Unfortunately, many pharmacists who enjoy a good dispensing , business entirely neglect the financial advantages of further exploiting the photographic and veterinary branches of their profession, and thus many students have not the opportunity of gaining a first-hand knowledge of these useful adjuncts to the trade. Of what avail are the years of study required to pass the extraordinarily wide and difficult series of questions now being set for section B ? Surely it would be better to set a standard not quite so high, but of greater utility, so that students may he better equipped to earn a living in the narrowing field of commercial pharmacy to-day. A. Gifford. . Morrinsville,: