CHEMISTS AT DINNER.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 839, 10 June 1910, Page 2

CHEMISTS AT DINNER.

DRUGS AND THE PUBLIC. CABINET MINISTERS ENTERTAINED The chemists from all parts of the Dominion, who have been conferring in Wellington this week, irlet nt dinner in Godber's Rooms last night, on the invitation of the Central Pharmaceutical Association. Mr. A. Hobson presided, and those seated with him included the Hon. D. Budclo, the Hon. T. Mackenzie, lUr. P. Castle (president of the New Zealand Pharmacy Board), Mr. L. M'Kenzie (president of the Federated New Zealand Chemists' Association), Mr. J. P. Luke. M.P., Professor Easterfield, .and other*. Apologies for absence were received from the Prime Minister, the Mayor, iU. Herdman, M.P., Dr. Pimly (Wellington president of the British Medical Association), and others. Good Work Done. Mr. Bailey (Cartertoii), responding to the toast of "Visiting' Chemists," remarked that the two bodies which had been deliberating in Wellington had done good work, notably in their drafting of amendments to the Poisons Act and the Pharmacy Act. In regard to the "former, they had shown a certain amount of magnanimity, inasmuch as, in the interest of the public, they proposed that the right to sell certain poisons should be extended to many who did not now possess it. What remained now was for the Legislature to give effect to their proposals. A Tendency to Nationalisation. Dr. Giesen, in proposing "The Pharmacy Board," said that to be a member of the controlling body of pharmacy in. r* ew Zealand was an honour which, tailed a real sacrifice of .time and labour. In addition to its functions of administering the Pharmacy Act, conducting examinations, and watching the general interests of pharmacists, it had. a raluabl? inilueiiee in bringing chemists together and broadening their outlook. A certain class of manufacturer, who was a menace to the pharmacists, the doctors, and the public, filled up the pharmacy with high-priced articles whose real value was largely imaginary. One result was 'that dispensing tended. to become a mechanical operation requiring little skill, and this at a time when lrigher qualifications were being demanded. The medical mari was acted upon by pamphlets suggesting the use of these preparations, and was thus tempted to rely upon the manufacturer rather than, his own knowledge of the pharmacopoeia. The public, too, were injured by being Induced to treat themselves with such preparations. One could not put a boy to repair a tap or paint a shed, with impunity,, unless he oarefully watched the painters' or some other award. Yet anvbody could administer patent drugs to' himself or others. These tendencies seemed to bo leading towards nationalisation of medicine and pharmacy, and it was highly desirable that pharmacists should be organised and united to meet whatever they might have to encounter in the future. ■

A Defective. Act. - Mr. P. Castle, responding. as president of the board, said the Pharmacy Act was defective inasmuch as it only took account of poisons when prescribed by a doctor, leaving non-qualified / persons quite free to sell poisons under other conditions. Thus the individual was . only protected when his medicine was V ordered by a doctor, and he could get drugs, however dangerous, from a store, and make, up medicines for himself, running the risks of unskilful handling at the store and on his"own part. The toast of "Parliament" was proposed by Mr. Haslett (Dunedin), who mentioned that power was desired to devote part of the funds ot the Pharmacy Board to subsidising the fees paid by pharmaceutical students at the technical schools: The board was also making suggestions to stop-ithe illicit or improper sale of opium, a matter'on which they all felt strongly. They, would approach Parliament on- these" and other, matters in a , hopeful spirit, because they had always .'■ received sympathetic treatment in ;-.- the -.-.. past, and because they would make cone. but .reasonable requests, with full consideration for the interests and convenience of the public. ' . ■ :.- Parliamentarians. The Hon. T. Mackenzie (Minister for Agriculture) responded in jocular vein, . and congratulated the chemists on. getting together to voice their requirements, which lie assured them would receive proper consideration. Mr. J. P. Luke, M.P., in proposing "The Federation of Chemists," welcomed the suggestion of Mr. Haslett for assisting the education of. pharmaceutical stu-. dents at the technical schools. .Speaking of unqualified chemists, he uttered a word of caution. The opportunities 01 the people to obtain medicines and drugs must not be too much curtailed. Mr. L. M'Kenzie, in responding, said the federation did not wish the public in country districts, or anywhere else, gettin? proper medicaments. They only wished to protect them in the matter ' of poisons, and what they proposed would* not hamper agriculture in any way. Doctors and Chemists. Dr. Elliott, responding to the toast of "The Medical Profession," which had been proposed by Mr. Parr.ham (Auck- ■ land), insisted that narcotic poisons should not be sold in poisonous dosos, except on a doctor's prescription. It had been claimed that doctors should not be . allowed to dispense, but he suggested that so long as some chemists were prepared to treat all human ills, from a bunion to consumption, tho doctors should be able to reciprocate, and should not ■ .be called upon to resign the right they now • possessed. The doctors of Wellington had ■the highest respect for the chemists of this district. "The Ministry" was proposed by Professor Easterfield. The Hon. D. Buddo, Minister for .Public Health, in responding,'said he was not yet ready to express an opinion on the legislative proposals that had been mentioned. "The Press" and "The Chairman" were also toasted. Messrs. D. Kenny, W. 8.- Wallace, and L. M'Kenzie contributed musical and elocutionary items.