PHARMACY BILL

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20887, 19 August 1939, Page 5

PHARMACY BILL

RAISING ETHICAL PRACTICE SALE OF MEDICINES (By Telegraph.—Press Association}. WELLINGTON. Friday Consolidation of the existing pharmacy law is provided for in the •Pharmacy Bill introduced by the Governor'-General's message in the House of Representatives to-day. The measure also gives effect to certain undertakings involved in the pharmacy plan, which has been submitted to the chemists in New Zealand by the Government and accepted. Part of the plan is already covered under the Industrial Efficiency Act, The Bali was read a second time pro forma and referred to the Industries and Commerce Committee and the Health Committee. The Bill revises the constitution of ■the Pharmacy Board by the inclusion of two representatives of the Pharmacy Employees. The board is to be vested with certain disciplinary powers with a view to raising the ethical practices of pharmacy above reproach, and a disciplinary committee is to be appointed by the board. There is authority for the constitution of a Board of Appeal consisting of a nuigistrate and two assessors to hear appeals from the decisions of the Pharmacy Board. Safeguards Provided The safeguards provided ensure that persons or firms trading as wholesale druggists and manufacturing chemists and supplying a great bulk of drugs and preparations used in retail pharmacies shall employ a suitably qualified staff and possess adequate premises and equipment. There also are clauses giving effect to the section of the pharmacy plan dealing with the division of medicinal substances to show which may be sold only by chemists as distinct from those which may also be sold by stores. Provision also is made to ensure the proper training and welfare of apprentices. MINISTER’S EXPLANATION (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Friday The Minister of Industries and Commerce, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, in explaining the Bill, said it merely made legislative provision for the plan which had been submitted to the chemists, and approved by them to make better provision for registration and control of pharmaceutical chemists, and to provide for the registration or licensing of wholesale druggists and manufacturintg chemists. It was proposed to refer the Bill to the Industries and Commerce Committee, so that any representations on the industrial side might be heard, and also to the health committee. so that aspects of the medical side might also be discussed, lie did not expect any opposition to the measure because of the agreement which had been reached with the chemists themselves. The greatest pleasure I know Ts to do a good action by stealth and have it found out by accident.—Lamb.