What is it about us creative types, and I use the term reservedly, that we can experience such troughs in our otherwise fairly cresty imaginings.  I mean to say, for myself (and I'm sure Arthur Haily, Jackie Collins, Barbara Cartland and other such literary giants would concur) it was just a case of sit down and let the pen waltz across the virginal white of the pure unsullied freshness of yet another expectant page ... and what joy to behold; at worst an old time waltz,
but at best a veritable fandango of frivolity, a rhythmic rhumba of rollicking repartee and even on rare occasions, that jewel in the crown of penmanship, a beautifully choreographed ballet of bon-mots.
So much for being on the crest of a literary wave, dancing and weaving ones way through reams of paper, bringing smiles to the furrowed brows of grizzly old campaigners and raw recruits alike.  The memory of these highs make the laughter-free zone of the inspirational trough all the harder to endure and that's just me.  What of my loyal band of followers who hang on my every utterance, awaiting each new pronouncement with ever greater anticipation, and an impatience born of expectancy?
And yet instead of drawing inspiration from the confidence of such a loyal and devoted following quite the converse occurs.  It is as if one falls into a self perpetuating cycle of uncertainty and doubt... is this good enough ??? Will that sound right ?? and before you know
what hits you it's more like "Oh sod it, who cares ?" uncertainty sinks into a dismal well of apathy from which escape is about as rare as from Devils Island.
Yeah, well Bonjour Monsieur Papillon, and I hope you enjoyed your rest. Now it's time to re-enter the world of men and words and deadlines and pressure and .... Oh God not again, the demons are back ....
But seriously folks, it's been a long time since pen was put to pulp and a lot has been happening in the world.  Tribunal trivia abound and about the rarest thing to emerge from the morass has been one iota of truth - if one thing has become clear it is this - Don't ever sacrifice ambition on the altar of principles  - or does that sound just a little pompous ? No, even our erstwhile great leader Garrett the good found himself mingled with all the other humus and fertiliser on the new level playing pitch.  Pomposity smells OK.  
All this might seem just a tad tangential to the matters at hand, but I must beg your indulgence on that point.  After all, in this dance it is the pen who leads while the hand merely follows.  True the farmers are revolting, and it is more relevant (but it is hardly new).  And yes pharmacy as we know it (knew it ?) is changing ever more rapidly - we are coming under the auspices of Aegis, clearing thickets of wood the better to see the trees, and why not ?  Why not
indeed. There's plenty afoot, so I presume a little idle musing won't hurt, more of which anon. Until then - I must practice my dance steps.

CHAIRMANS ADDRESS
The Chairman, Giles Barrett, reviewed 1998 a year in which some progress was made in the establishment of POM(E).  Some professional help was engaged to establish a strategy.  The support of the farming organisations, the organisation that represents the companies (APHA) and the organisation for Co-op's (ICOS) means a huge section of the industry now sees the
importance of POM(E).  With the arrival of new officers on the IVU and IVA we look forward to an improvement in relations.  Giles regretted the introduction of a mail order licence which has now been issued to an individual.
He congratulated Boileau & Boyd on the change in ownership and wish them every success.  He paid tribute to Rory Culliton for his energy and commitment.  On the future Giles predicted that we will have to take account of radical changes in agriculture due to the current crisis. 

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGERS REPORT 

As we move into the 1999 Spring season the importance of the dairy farmer as a customer is proving invaluable to those members whose veterinary business is significant.  To see so many of the sectors of agriculture at the bottom of the cycle at the same time is strange. The strength of pharmacy at this time is that we have other business to get us through these difficult times.  It would seem that some of the other players inthe market are badly hit between declining
sales and credit difficulties.  
In the meantime our recent News Flash outlining the problems with Fluke, where sheep are dropping dead by the dozen, brings home the fact, that by not treating animals regularly on does not save money.  Novartis tell us that many of the post mortems are showing huge worm burdens as well as fluke. 
As yet there are no products in the POM(E) category.  Dopram V which was a candidate has ended up Pharmacy Sale.  We are still struggling with the barriers that are being thrown in our way but have not given up by any means.  
The interest in small animal promotions is burgeoning - innovative pharmacists are devising their own promotions - windows are receiving a good response and we are trying to source some promotional material at this time.  If you have any ideas please share them. 
We have identified an article on trace element deficiencies which we are including with this News Bulletin for addition to your handbook.
Congratulations to Ian McGirr on the birth of his new son, a new source of inspiration.