QUALIFICATION OF CHEMISTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5655, 28 August 1896, Page 5 (Supplement)

QUALIFICATION OF CHEMISTS.

A Bill to consolidate and amend the law relating to pharmacy is now before the Legislature, having been introduced in the Upper House by the Hon W. C. Walker. The majority of tho new provisions are unexceptionable, but in view of the difficult and delicate nature of a dispensing chemist's duties and the serious consequences that might result from carelessness or incompetence, the clause dealing with the qualifications of pharmacists ought -to receive close scrutiny from the people's representatives. Among persons entitled to bs placed on the Pharmaceutical Eegister of New Zealand, without examination, it is proposed to include all those who have for two years prior to the beginning of January next kept a dispensing chemist's shop as owner or manager, or who have for the same period acted as assistant. It seems to us that this would open the door altogether top widely. There is no reason for such' a provision, least of all for that regarding " assistants," as that term might include mere bottle cleaners and- messengers. Since 1880 — that is, for over fifteen years — admission to the register has been by examination or approved qualificacation, and every acting chemist had ample opportunity under the existing law of getting placed on the register without examination. There is no lack of qualified pharmacists, as this year's register contains the names of three hundred and fifty -five, of whom over two hundred were admitted in 1880 as having been chemists or assistants prior to that date. It is hard to conceive that there is now a single person in the colony who would suffer hardship by being excluded from the register until he can pass the required examination. On the other hand, there are grave possibilities of disastrous consequences if ignorant youths are allowed to go forth with the Pharmacy Board's brand as qualified chemists:^*- One of the principal alteration's of the law contemplated by the Bill under review is one allowing the New Zealand Pharmacy Board to " make arrangements with any of the Australasian colonies for the reciprocal recognition and exchange of certificates and registration." It is to be feared that the object of this clause would be frustrated if the New Zealand qualification were lowered by the admission of possibly incompetent persons. The reciprocity is a matter affecting the interests of the pharmacists only ; but the public safety is of much greater moment, and to conserve it, Parliament should insist upon no more persons being placed on the Pharmaceutical Begister without ex : animation.