THE PHARMACY INDUSTRY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20891, 22 November 1937, Page 16

THE PHARMACY INDUSTRY

MINISTER OUTLINES PLAN DETAILS OF PROPOSED REORGANISATION By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON. November 19. Detailed proposals for the reorganisation of the pharmacy industry have been completed by the Bureau of Industry, and approved by the Minister of Industries and Commerce (Hon. D. G. Sullivan).

The plan, which provides for the establishment of a committee of seven members, and the appointment of a director of pharmacy to carry out its provisions, was outlined this evening by the Minister, who stated that copies of it had been forwarded to the principals of more than 600 pharmacies throughout the Dominion, together with voting papers on which they would be asked to make known their opinions before the middle of next month.

The basic points of the plan were outlined by the Minister as follows: (1) Ensuring the dispensing of standard quality drugs at reasonable prices by or under the immediate supervision of qualified pharmacists. (2) Retaining individual ownership and operating on pharmacies without preventing the properly-controlled operation of company chain pharmacies.

(3) The exclusion of wholesale druggists, manufacturing chemists, indentors and overseas representatives whose industries may be the subject of separate plans. “The plan does not propose to introduce at the present stage an official drug tariff and standard dispensing fee, and to require their compulsory observance,” Mr Sullivan added, “but it is recognised that when practicable those steps should be taken.” Licensing System Discussing the detailed proposals, the Minister said that it was suggested that the present licensing system should continue, and that licenses should be granted only to those persons and firms whose principal business is that of pharmacy. It was proposed to consider applications for licenses from chain company pharmacies on their merits, but the extension of the chain company pharmacy would be so limited as to preserve the existence of the individual pharmacy to a degree necessary’ to give adequate national health service. The pharmacy plan industrial committee would comprise three members nominated by the Government, two nominated by the Pharmacy Board and one each by the United Friendly Societies dispensaries and employees. All members other than those nominated by the Government are to be members of the Pharmaceutical Society. The director of pharmacy, who. with the committee, will be responsible for the carrying out of the plan, is to be appointed subject to the approval of the Bureau of Industry 7. Administration expenses and the development of any necessary compensation fund will be defrayed by the collection of levies from retail chemists, struck on the broad basis of the annual turn-over.

Retail Sale Under the plan, the retail sale of all substances included in the British pharmacopoeia or British pharmaceutical codex will be confined to pharmacists, said the Minister, although certain goods set out in the plan will be excepted. It is proposed that the committee should recommend to the Minister of Health the registration of all formulae of proprietary medicines, and the prevention of the issue of a hawker’s license unless the persons concerned are associated with or supported by a substantial firm.