It is perhaps just as well that nothing of earth shattering importance has been happening from the point of view of legislation affecting our beleaguered profession in the past few months (This opening gambit may not even be true or accurate, but I am sticking with it anyway !). In any case, this inactivity (perceived or actual) gives one time to ruminate on more fundamental things such as the fleeting nature of self-importance and the utter, utter dispensability and disposability of everything and everyone, from fridge-freezers to ....to.... well to so called editors of popular little niche magazines. In both instances I can cite profound personal experience.. to wit, don't expect your frost-free fridge-freezer to last more than 6 years (8 tops), and don't expect your readership to remember you for more than 6 minutes (10 tops !). This latter point was cruelly emphasised to me on my return from a recent holiday to Malta (very nice, thank you) when a chance encounter (per phone) with a colleague elicited the suggestion "Well, so you've packed up the oul' writin'. Never mind, your man who's at it now is great". 

Well, to say you could have knocked me over with a feather would have been an understatement of "Loughnanesque proportions. How could they ? Conspiracy theories abounded in my frantically hyped and by now paranoid mind. I only missed one issue for God's sake. And then, to be supplanted by that latter day playboy of the western world, well it's as much as a body can endure. But hold hard - is this not a salutary lesson in life itself?. Can one not draw from this experience however degrading and humbling it is initially ? The lesson my friends is as old as time itself - "life goes on without you ". This "rant" will be filed under "Reflections on a past life - with thanks to B.H. who did a hell of a job for no thanks " 

                                Regards to all 

                             Your humble servant 

                          Ian McGirr, MPSI, Carnew 

                                   ****** 

PHARMACHEM GREYHOUND NIGHT 

On Sunday 19th July we held our renewal of the "Pharmachem stake" at the Markets Field in
Limerick. Board na gCon did a great job in promoting the event in the national media and Paddy O'Dwyer, (Bord na gCon in Limerick) ensured that Pharmachem got excellent coverage on the local radio and newspaper.

The event itself attracted a very big attendance. Many were guests of the sponsors and Pharmachem members. Brendan Hayes took the brave but fruitful decision to hire a minibus for his customers and treat them to a night at the dogs. Other guests could avail of the well organised buffet facilities, excellently presented free of charge by Limerick track manager, Gus Ryan. The food and drink brought together a good mix of sponsors, members of Pharmachem and invited customers, just near the presentation area and before long the evening began to buzz. 

The many greyhound enthusiasts were being badgered by the uninitiated for tips in advance of forays to the bookmarkers. All were thoroughly entertained by what the Sporting Press described later in the week as " A hugely successful meeting" which provided "some marvellous racing. The Pharmachem final was run in "the fastest time of the year to date" which for all you punters with a feel for detail was "a blistering 28.25". All the better for Pharmachem. A race of such stature had every greyhound owner and breeder nationwide taking full notice as dogs from all over the country were drawn to Limerick, lured by the large purse. Our sponsors, whose support and participation was greatly appreciated included Bob Martins, Intervet, Interchem, Novartis Animal Health, Bayer Ireland and Foran Chemicals. 

All Pharmachem members that attended are to be congratulated on a job well done and it was their chance to tell greyhound owners and breeders that their local chemist puts some of the money they spend with him, back into greyhound racing. The consensus amongst the Pharmachem committee is that the event has a very positive benefit, was well worth the investment and a 1999 renewal still remains a possibility depending on the level of interest of pharmacists in the area. 

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NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE FOR IRISH MEDICINES BOARD 

Dr. Frank Hallinan has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of the Irish Medicines Board. 

Dr. Hallinan is a science graduate of University College Cork and the University of Southampton. He also holds a Diploma in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Technology from the School of Pharmacy, University of Dublin. He worked in Biomedical Research in Universities and Hospitals in the UK, Canada and Ireland for a number of years before joining Schering Plough (Brinny)Co. in 1987. 

With Schering Plough he has worked on recombinant DNA Generated Biopharmaceutical products in Ireland and the US, in the areas of Quality, Regulatory Affairs and Development. He is currently responsible for their Technology and Regulatory Support Department in the Brinny facility. 

Dr. Hallinan is an elected member of the current Governing Body in NUI, cork. He is married with four children. 

Dr. Hallinan succeeds Dr. John Kelly who has been Chief Executive of the Board for the past three
years and is returning to the private sector, where he will work with Norbrook. In his period as chief Executive, Dr. Kelly established the Irish Medicines as the successor body to the National Drugs Advisory Board on an independent self-funding basis held in high regard both here and abroad. His contribution to the new organisation has been immeasurable and he will be greatly missed both at a personal and operating level. 

                                 ********* 

Article published in Irish Farmers Journal "The Dealer" 28th Aug 1998 

Vets will use dairy cert to corner drug market 

I see where fees of up to £70 per hour for vets inspecting dairy farmers for the dairy herd cert would be "just a minimal cost" according to John Molloy of Veterinary Certified Food Assurance Board.

If the country's 45,000 dairy farmers were to be inspected at this rate this "minimal cost" would
exceed £3million- for which dairy farmers would get absolutely no return. 

Writing recent in the Journal, Molloy stated that the cost of dairy herd certification would be soley an issue for each vet and his client. The Dealer can only marvel at this given that the IVU is facing prosecution by the Competition Authority for organising systematic rigging of disease costing fees. 

John Molloy also raised the issue of vets being involved in aspects of cattle traceability scheme, for example obtaining of movement permits. 

What sort of delays would then await any farmer who bought his veterinary inputs at cheaper prices from his local chemist or co-op? At least in their dealings with farmers the DVOs don't have a simultaneous commercial agenda. 

Vets want to inspect a dairy farmer's milk statements to ensure information they require is given
accurately. They want to inspect animal medicines records. again, Heaven help a farmer still buying veterinary inputs from a local pharmacist or co-op instead of from the vet would the cert be held up or signed "this time as a favour"? 

Molloy cliamed that most farmers are not recording animal remedy usage. If he has proof of this he should furnish it to the Department as they are the body charged with ensuring farmers do so. 

Even more incredibly the IVA's Bill Cashman has now suggested that one inspection per year of dairy farms would not be sufficient to protect public health for the remainder of the year ! The Dealer wonders if vets will push until they are inspecting livestock farmers a number of times per year and to speed payments, have a direct debit link into farmers' bank accounts.

If the vets succeed in also forcing through annual inspection for the planned beef assurance scheme their gains would be even more spectacular. This would extract a further £8 to £9 million every year from beef and dairy farmers - again for no return. 

                               ************* 

                         BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT 

                            MANGERS REPORT 

Ivomec Thief tracked down. 

A pharmacist in the West with a video recorder on his shop monitor provided our first hardcopy photographs of a couple on the job. Another pharmacist in Kildare reported the apprehension of a couple by the Gardai. Two other sightings have confirmed the same individuals. We had hoped that a photo could be published but legal constraints prevent it. One pharmacists with stones in an empty Ivomec box had it stolen. The most recent report was four weeks ago - a foreign accent was used to create a diversion. 

                                    *** 

As business begins to move again it is nice to see some members with their business growing. While it is very difficult to deal with the changes the competition is beavering away and we must continue to meet the challenge. Perhaps at this time people might consider a mail shot to a certain number of customers to counter the propaganda they may be hearing from other quarters. We are working away at committee level on POM(E) and are hopeful on that front. 

                                    *** 

Some members are finding the pet range growing quite well and anyone who wishes to run a
promotion should contact Rory. 

                                    *** 

Golf: Our outing in Ballyneety was completely sponsored by C & M Veterinary once again. The weather was excellent and the course was playing very hard. Jim McElwee, long considered the resident expert on Veterinary pharmacy, has now reached the top of the golf ladder by winning with 34 points narrowly pipping Frank Reen (back nine) and its that man again ..... Brendan Feeney who won the Golfer of the Year having 33 points to bring his total to 103 for the three outings. Brendan's 33 also secured third place on the day - ahead of Willie McAuliffe. For the ladies Anne Killian narrowly pipped Mary Hennessy. The evening was rounded off with a candlelight dinner (courtesy of the ESB) which showed up the versatility of the catering staff who did magnificently on the night. 

                                    *** 

Committee Meeting 

EPOS: It is hoped to have more information on EPOS for members shortly. 

POM(E): Congratulations were extended to Giles Barrett who has done some comprehensive
research on the Animal Remedies Regulations to forward the case for POM(E) which should
progress the issue. The members were congratulated for their response to the Pharmachem
consultancy fund. 

Telesales: Some concern was expressed about Merial telesales/marketing and the negative effect it was creating with customers. Veterinary Training: Brendan Hayes continues to research the training resources available for pharmacists and staff.