Heard an interesting piece on BBC Radio 4’s You and Yours programme in December. An undercover reporter was able to buy drugs (sedatives, antibiotics, dangerous stuff) from so-called legitimate pharmacies. The medical and pharmaceutical authoritative bodies declined an invitation to go onto the programme. As the presenter pointed out, the police and trading standards do spot checks on businesses selling alcohol and cigarettes, but almost never do spot checks on chemists.
I, too, was shocked. I’ve always had a high regard for pharmacists who seem to be a highly intelligent and knowledgeable bunch. Now it seems some are acting like drug pushers. Why? Well, £70 a pop for a box of Valium and no one bothering to check up. •
