Dear Editor

I must confess I rather enjoyed Onlooker’s attempted demolition (‘Rotten Rubbish’, ICP December, p8) of my article supporting the new, regulation-free RPS and decrying the failings of the RPSGB of old.

Perhaps Onlooker has forgotten how some of us fought shoulder-to-shoulder against the old regime at the RPSGB under the campaign banner of ‘Save Our Society’. Had we not done so, that regime would have succeeded in delivering the Lambeth building, itself worth some millions, and all the profession’s associated assets – gathered for over 150 years – and handing them lock, stock, and barrel to the new regulator. Now if that’s not “anti-pharmacist” then I don’t know what is!

Onlooker is simply wrong when he claims “that” body delivered “a well-educated, well-ordered and well-respected profession”, because the truth is that the education system now churning out far too many pharmacists is not fit for a profession. Under the old RPSGB, the profession was not well-ordered; it was bullied and intimidated and by no means did we – the third largest healthcare profession – receive the respect we deserved. Why not? Because our so-called professional body was so intent on regulating us, it virtually neglected to provide any leadership or professional representation.

Onlooker opines: “My advice to all the Royal College merchants is that, if they go down that route to the exclusion of seeking to look after the interests of the general body of pharmacists, they will face the same fate as the former College of Pharmacy Practice – oblivion”. He’s wrong there, too. The RPS, as the Royal College for pharmacists, does nothing but represent our professional interests. It supports us as individual professionals and supports the entire profession to the rest of the world in a way the old body didn’t even attempt. Just compare the column inches and TV appearances on a like-for-like basis. The new RPS is only a couple of years old and it’s far from perfect but is working flat out on all our behalves. If you aren’t a member, please consider this – “None of us is as strong as all of us” – and join.

Graham Phillips FRPharmS

(Former member, RPS English Pharmacy Board)