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Independent proprietor Sid Dajani discusses funny things that happen in queues, a milk delivery service, and homeopathy

Sometimes the funniest and most unexpected events happen in queues. It could be a rebuttal when someone pushes in, catching ominous discussions mid-stream or even laughing at someone's dress sense. I was checking in at the Lambeth Road Novotel when I overheard the person in the next queue questioning why his reservation was not found. The lady rechecked his name: €Mr Soni, I'm sorry sir, I've just checked again and we definitely don't have your name here€. At this point I saw Ash, vice-chair of the English Pharmacy Board, break into a sweat, worried he may have to sleep rough by the front entrance of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

As a treasurer with a strong sense of duty, I'd have to charge him rent on behalf of the members but as a friend I wasn't going to let that happen. Just before I could offer the vacant sleeping space outside my hotel door free of charge, the receptionist had a eureka moment: €Can I have your first name, sir?€ He replied, €yes, it's Ash€. A few clicks of the screen later and she looked up and said, €I'm so sorry sir, but we only have a reservation for Mr Ash Obe!€

Ash's face was a picture as he explained that was him and his name was Ash Soni OBE. But by then something had started tickling my rib cage from the inside and all those in the queue for that matter. I bet when Ash accepted this prestigious award, he didn't realise it would complicate his checking-in process. When it was my turn to check in, the lady asked me for my name. €Of course,€ I said, €I'm Mr Sultan Mrpharms!€

To add to my clinical roles and dispensing processes, I'm considering starting a level three service in substance misuse service €“ in other words, testing for hepatitis B and C. This may be unappetising for some as it would involve collecting eight drops of blood to send off for analysis, but it fits perfectly with some of my other pre-existing services such as a needle and syringe programme, supervised administration and flu vaccination.

Sid, the fastest milkman

"What I was not expecting to add to my armoury of professional roles was that of a milkman" Sid, the fastest milkman ... What I was not expecting to add to my armoury of professional roles was that of a milkman. I'm so proud €“ I had my first happy customers on a recent Saturday €“ in Leicester, all the way from Southampton! It started at 9.15 on the Friday when I received a delivery of 30 SMA Comfort tins with a note saying, €Please accept, do not return and call Liz on ... €

Liz works in the pharmaceutical industry and I had worked with her several times as a consultant. The milk is in short supply and she wanted me to act as a 24/7 emergency depot and send out the tins all around the UK by courier to desperate mums. By noon we worked out a protocol, discussed resources, sourced three couriers to be on stand-by and, hey presto, a milk delivery service was born. The next morning an email arrived €“ the first real test for the SOP and the staff training. It worked a treat; the only thing missing now is a milk float and a pencil behind my ear

"What I was not expecting to add to my armoury of
professional roles was that of a milkman"

Before I have my head shaved and am sent out of the village in shame, can I just say that I was interviewed recently about homeopathic medicines. Some may view this as scientific perversity, a few will say there is an odour of the professional traitor about me, and others will say it is therapeutic madness.

Frankly, I would be comfortable even if people found solace in a turquoise, one-eyed dragon that lived in a jam jar on their bookcase, chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, or even searching for the fountain of eternal youth at the base of each anti-aging product. But only after they have been wisely counselled against!

Ultimately I believe in primum non nocere €“ first do no harm. And if no harm is done or these treatments do not interfere with conventional therapy then I can see there being no problem in using them, even if our truthful and honest counsel on efficacy falls on deaf ears.

The alternative position

Homeopathic remedies, Chinese medicines and so on are part of the fabric of healthcare. They are available on most high streets and, like it or not, people use them and they do have some positive placebo effects. Without doubt, some have interactions with conventional medicines and some have side-effects. However, if we publicly attack such treatments then we will be driving away those people who need our help the most. Where then will people go for proper and reliable advice about what they can safely take?

The only harm I can see is if we remain ignorant, do not understand the philosophy and therefore cannot advise competently. Such prejudice is surely against the interests of public health.

So, I do stock some products and have recently found myself having to vehemently defend this position, even if there is not much more beyond the placebo effect. Pharmacy is so rarely the black and white perception people have of it, and that is why I hate having professional discretion diluted through over-regulation and unnecessary restrictions.

With our relentless and exhausting workload, I think we could all benefit from our own turquoise, one-eyed dragon to help us cope. I'm going mad €“ that makes much more sense than what's in Category M of the Drug Tariff.

The good news is Mr OBE has just been re-elected to the English Pharmacy Board and he's a community pharmacist with major influence in government, so there is hope €“ he just needs to check-in first.