THE argument over who should dispense medicine goes back and forth and often gets distracted by side issues: Who knows more about drugs and side-effects? Who can best advise the patient on drug interaction?

The question for the public is access and availability. There is a 24-hour clinic near my house and a 8am-to-10pm clinic down the street. There is only one pharmacist in the area.

I suffer from sinus problems and occasionally cannot get Afrin, an antihistamine that is available “over the counter” in most countries, but is still listed as a “poison” here and must be handed out from a locked cabinet by a pharmacist.

My wife’s elderly parents live in a small town about 60km from Ipoh. There are two clinics in their area and the doctors will make late night house calls if necessary, but there is no pharmacy in town. The nearest one is in Ipoh.

What are they and millions of others in rural areas to do?

I feel that the fundamental position of the pharmacists is about the creation of jobs. That will mean duplication of costs. The doctors already have their expenses covered.

Why should we be forced to pay the same again to a pharmacist? They are in business and need to make a profit to exist. That means more cost to us, the public.

J.L.P., Ampang, Selangor

Source: NST – April 29, 2008