RECOGNITION FOR PHARMACISTS.

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2793, 10 June 1916, Page 14

RECOGNITION FOR PHARMACISTS.

Sir,—The efforts of the Pharmacy Board in seeking commissioned rank for qualified pharmacists ■ as dispensers' 1 '-in tho iV.Z.M.C. must have the support of every broad-minded person. Here are a number of professional men with sound education anil practical common sense debarred from service for want of recognition and pay due to their ability and qualifications as dispensers attached to camps and base hospitals, also for transport duties. Any person who knows the inner history of the camp dispensing; arrangements since tho war started will understand the necessity for highly-trained men who have had years of experience in the handling and care of drugs and medical supplies, and who know the value of such articles. Unfortunately from the point of view of the pharmacists the dispensing arrangements have not come into prominence, being considered a minor detail of the military organisation. • Whenever the question of commissions for pharmacists is brought'before the authorities, a reply is received to tho effect that qualifications are unnecessary, and that no provisions are made for commissioned j'ank, under thei "Imperial'Herniations." These regulations are really ail excellent means to defer the question of reorganisation of this important branch, but, in being quoted so often, an extra large dose is necessary to produce the desired results. In order to explain the value .of this dope, I would \ state that no provision was made for dentists, yet commissions were given without hesitation, and, further, the appointments were gazetted a ■ few months afterwards with an increase in rank. "Imperium in Iniperio." The arguments against tho appointment of. pharmacists are (that there is nothing (?) that 'they can do that is not already arranged for, and that commissioned rank is unnecessary; also that the amount of dispensing in, ihe service is insufficient to warrant tho appointment of qualified pharmacists. These arguments wore.also used in regard t<) other branches, and it has taken many years to eradicate them and to-raise tlio efficiency of the branches referred to.

It is very gratifying to note that official recognition" of. pharmacists as commissioned officers is being established by the ' self-governing ' Dominions, and that appointmoiits have already been made iu the Canadian and Australian Expeditionary Forces. '. This,' I think, disposes of the old bogey of the "Imperial Jlegula-, tions" as- applied to New Zealand. As' the time for equal service for all is drawing near, I trust that the Pharmacy .Board will have the matter'brought np in the House, and that provision will bo made for qualified pharmacists hold commissions, and draw Army pay equivalent to their professional services in their civil capacity.—l am, etc., '.HAT JUSTITIA.