PRESCRIPTIONS IN CODE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 152, 30 June 1932, Page 2

PRESCRIPTIONS IN CODE

SPECIALISTS CRITICISED “AN ABOMINABLE PRACTICE” Harley Street specialists who write prescriptions iu cipher were denounced in London recently by Air. A. Cox, secretary of the British Medical Association. The key to these cipher prescriptions is held by the chemist to whom the specialist sends his patients. “1 think it is an abominable practice,” said Mr. Cox,” and tho profession will set its face rigidly against any continuance ,of it. Tho use of codes of this kind may give rise to a suspicion that some kind of financial arrangement has been arrived at between tho chemist ami the consultant. We cannot have. that. “There is also the implication that some secret remedy is being used, which, of course, is grossly unprofessional. “A patient should be able to produce prescriptions to any other doctor he consults later, so I hat the treatment he has been having is known. That is a hard and fast professional custom ami we want no departure from it. The association will consider all such examples brought- to its not ’