David Cameron's pharmacist

Depending on which news broadcaster you listen to, the chances of a Conservative prime minister next summer are somewhere between likely and certain.  It's been pointed out on numerous occasions that David Cameron's personal experiences have resulted in him being a far more enthusiastic supporter of the NHS than many of his predecesors.

I was dealing with someone who'd had similar experiences the other week, she was a parent of a chronically ill child who had had many nights spent on the paediatric ward, hoping their child would survive another exacerbation.  Following a recent discharge, an unlicensed drug was prescribed.  Unfortunately the GP prescribed something that was almost correct, but totally useless on account of being a tub of powder rather than a bottle of liquid.  (I'm being deliberately vague for purposes of patient confidentiality, and yes, we bear part responsibility for the miscommunication.)

When the wrong item was handed out, the perpetually over-stressed parent asked their community pharmacist what they should do with the tub of powder - the response was "they should ask the GP" and that was that.

So much for patient-centred care.  It would appear that this pharmacist's professional responsibility ended once the wrong medicine was final-checked against the mistaken prescription.

Whilst I understand the pressures we face all too well, this really disappointed me.  I have to hope the pharmacists that supplied David Cameron's family medicines, and that of the many thousands of others in that same position, were and remain more empathetic and eager to put their professional skills to use.