“SUPPORT YOUR CHEMIST”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 898, 15 February 1930, Page 6

“SUPPORT YOUR CHEMIST”

MEN OF QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE CAN SUPPLY EVERY NEED The foundation of public confidence in the dispensing chemist lies in the knowledge that he is a qualified man, and to broadcast this advantage, as well as the names of chemists in every suburb, THE SUN is publishing today the first of a series of announcements that have been approved by the Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand (Northern Division). The chemist brings to his calling not only experience, but many years of study, so that he is something more than a merchant, and knows intimately every article he is handling, whether it be drugs, toilet preparations, proprietary medicines or surgical appliances. ~ . ~ In practically every retail shop the public is able to judge the quality of the goods they are buying. In the case of the chemist's business, however, a mere inspection of goods purchased discloses nothing of their quality to the public. In this respect the public is safeguarded, since the Government has made it a statutory requirement of the chemist that he must have special qualifications before starting in business. By chemical and physical tests he must be able to decide the quality* potency and nature of the drugs he uses. Just as there is a variation of quality in teas, so there are as many grades in eucalyptus, camphorated oil, senna, Epsom salts and the many other home remedies that are used, and the chemist knows all about them. To qualify as a registered chemist means many years of study and experience. First attending a secondary school an aspirant must pass his matriculation examination, after which he is apprenticed to a chemist for a term of four years, his indentures being registered by the Pharmacy Board. During this period of his training li© is allowed certain hours in which to attend lectures at the University on the subjects of chemistry and botany in preparation for his Pharmacy B examination. Then there follows a study of pharmacy, materia medica and practical work for his final, or Pharmacy C examination. He must learn to distinguish all manner of drugs, roots, herbs, etc., to know their application and the tests for the detection of impurities. His practical tuition, involving a thorough knowledge of dispensing, the compatibility-of medicines, what medicines form explosive compounds or dangerous poisons, he ...receives from his employer, while his theoretical knowledge he gains from correspondence schools or private coaches. The Board conducts examinations in the four centres, and, on passing his final a chemist is entitled to apply for a certificate, after which he may go into business on his own account. With the chemist the public has access to a person who is able and willing to advise in the many difficulties of everyday life, and whose experience is always at the disposal of his customers. In these days the chemist must keep in touch with every development in medicine and allied sciences. He carries large stocks of drugs and chemicals. Besides dispensing. he meets the demands of the public for all kinds of remedies. His wide scientific training enables him to sell chemicals for other than medical use, even for agricultural and horticultural purposes. He provides numerous surgical appliances such as trusses and elastic stockings, all nature of dressings, and special foods for infants and invalids. These may bo sold elsewhere, but the chemist is the man who knows what he is selling. The dispensary of any qualified chemist may be depended qpon as being conducted along the strictest lines of cleanliness. Disorderliness is in no way tolerated since it might easily lead to error, and the profession is one which calls for increasing care and vigilance.

To loyal New Zealanders there is the added inducement in patronising chemists in that there are many locally-made toilet preparations and proprietory medicines which employ New Zealand labour in the making, as well as for the containers, packing and so on. Another important point is that the locally-made cough' mixtures, teething powders, ointments and general household medicaments must be fresher than inported articles, which have been made up in the Northern Hemisphere and shipped all the way to us here. The retail chemist of today is not wholly taken up with dispensing prescriptions for the doctor, as .some people may think. The modern progressive chemist’s store, is a monument to the enterprise of its proprietor. To meet a multiplicity of requirements his shelves and counters bear an attractive array of reputable proprietary articles. Naturally the chemist, with his wide training and experience, is able to pudge the merits of any product before taking it into stock. The business of tne modern chemist is one of serious responsibility.