PHARMACY INDUSTRY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23378, 18 December 1937, Page 9

PHARMACY INDUSTRY

PLAN FOR REORGANISATION APPROVED BY RETAIL CHEMISTS A NINETY’PER CENT. VOTE (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, Dec. 17. An announcement that a provisional plan for the reorganisation of the pharmacy industry of the Dominion had been approved by the retail pharmacists was made by the Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr D. G. Sullivan) to-night. He said that further negotiations had still to take place before the question of bringing the plan into operation under the provisions of the Industrial Efficiency Act was considered by the Government. “I am pleased to announce,” Mr Sullivan said, “that the provisional plan issued by the Bureau of Industry under the terms of the Industrial Efficiency Act has been approved of in no uncertain manner by retail pharmacists throughout the country. Out of a total of approximately 602 shops the principals operating 568 shops recorded their votes, a return of 94 per cent. Of the votes recorded 544 were in favour of the plan, 19 against, and five informal. This gives a favourable vote equal to 96 per cent, of the votes returned and 90 per cent, of all the principals engaged in the industry. The Method Adopted "I think this is a remarkable result,” the Minister said, “not so much in regard to the large majority of pharmacists who have recorded their votes in favour of the plan, but especially as to the total vote polled. Such a total speaks volumes for the organisation of the whole matter, which was arranged by the members of the Pharmacy Board and by the Bureau of Industry. Many meetings were held throughout the Dominion at which members of a special committee, accompanied by representatives of the Pharmacy Board, attended and explained the provisions of the plan. After attending these meetings and hearing the plan explained and discussed the chemists generally were of the opinion that the plan, if put into operation, would result in material benefit to and a reorganisation of the industry. “It was freely stated by pharmacists,” Mr'Sullivan said, “that the plan did not go so far as they would have wished to assist them as individuals, but on the other hand it was recognised that the Bureau and the Government had to consider other interests concerned in the matter. A provisional plan was issued for two main purposes—first, to secure an expression of opinion from the retail pharmacists whether the plan should be put into operation, and secondly to enable any persons who might consider themselves materially affected by the provisions of the plan to make their representations to the Government. Points Elucidated “In this connection,” the Minister continued, “ a number of discussions have already been held between the Bureau, and representatives of certain interests who were of this opinion that they would be prejudicially affected by the plan, it has been found, however, that the main difficulty so far has been due to different interpretations placed upon certain provisions of the plan, and the Bureau has been able to reach an agreement upon these points. I understand that further representations are to be made by other bodies, and if that is so I would ask that such organisations should come forward as soon as possible so that the discussions may be proceeded with.” The Minister concluded by stating that after all these representations had been made and discussions held with the Bureau the question of bringing the plan into operation under the provisions of the Industrial Efficiency Act would be considered by the Government. He was hopeful that all the interests affected would show their support of the plan, which, in his opinion. would provide the necessary means to reorganise the pharmacy industry on a more efficient basis with resultant benefits both to the consumers and to those engaged in the industry itself.