THE PROPOSED NEW PHARMACY BILL. 
299 
Druggists. Tlie object of this interview was to explain to the Secretary of 
State the provisions of the Bill which has been prepared by the Council of 
the Pharmaceutical Society, and as far as possible to enlist the interests of 
the Government in its favour. It is necessary in such a case to show that 
the proposed measure will be likely to effect what is required for the public 
good. The “ Bill for Regulating the Qualifications of Chemists and Drug¬ 
gists,” assumes that it is expedient for the safety of the public that persons 
carrying on the business of a chemist and druggist by retail, in the keeping 
of open shop for the compounding of the prescriptions of duly qualified 
medical practitioners, should possess a competent practical knowledge of 
such business, and, before commencing such business, should be duly exa¬ 
mined as to their skill and knowledge. There is no difficulty in establishing 
this position which forms the preamble of the Bill, but the Government and 
the Legislature have to consider not only whether the safety of the public 
calls for legislative interference in the particular direction indicated, but also 
how far the proposed interference would fulfil all that is required, and would 
do so in the most effective and unobjectionable manner. The basis of the 
Bill as it stands at present is as simple as it could be made. It imposes a 
test of qualification upon those who undertake to prepare the prescriptions 
of duly-qualified medical practitioners, but in other respects it leaves the sale 
of medicines unrestricted. Now it may be thought by some that this is 
hardly going far enough, as it leaves the sale of poisonous drugs in the hands 
of all who choose to undertake it. A stronger case in support of the Bill 
would no doubt be established if it was made to apply to the sale of all dan¬ 
gerously poisonous drugs, for this would touch the popular feeling on a point 
on which there is a feverish sensitiveness, and no small anxiety for the public 
safety. But the framers of the Bill wished to avoid making it a Poison Bill, 
being impressed with the difficulties attending the satisfactory settlement of 
the questions involved in that part of the subject. To some extent, however, 
the Bill as it stands will restrict the sale of poisons to qualified men ; for if 
none but examined men be allowed to keep open shop for dispensing pre¬ 
scriptions, this will virtually exclude all others from the business, and although 
hucksters and grocers may sometimes undertake the sale of poisonous drugs, it 
will be easy by a separate measure to deal with any evils arising from that 
source when they have developed themselves. The great point at present is 
to bring all the Chemists and Druggists throughout the country into one 
united and legally recognized body, and to ensure their qualification for the 
most important of the duties they have to perform. This is the foundation 
upon which any efficient arrangement for the protection of the public in the 
sale and administration of medicines and dangerous drugs must be based. 
To the attainment of this object our efforts should now be directed. The 
Bill that has been prepared will accomplish what is required. No valid ob¬ 
jections have been urged against it, and there is ground for encouragement 
in the opinions expressed with reference to it by those whose influence will 
aid greatly in getting it passed. But no means for promoting our object 
must be neglected, and in particular it is desirable that the Council should 
be furnished with as many expressions of opinion as possible in its favour 
from the body of Chemists and Druggists in every part of the country. 
