Sir, - Mr Brendan Quinn of the Irish Pharmaceutical Union has denied that his trade wants to corner the market for food supplements and complementary medicines by claiming he only wants to "control the professionalism of healthcare".
He is implying, of course, that pharmacies are the only suitable outlets for the sale of such products, and that their availability in health stores might be "putting people in danger". Nothing could be further from the truth.
Firstly, health stores have always been the traditional route of sale of herbal and homoeopathic remedies, vitamin/mineral supplements, as well as good wholesome food. Pharmacies have only begun to stock complementary medicines relatively recently. Secondly, it is a condition of membership of the Irish Association of Health Stores (IAHS) that all staff in member stores are thoroughly trained in all aspects of the retailing of these products. No such training exists in pharmacies.
Thirdly, all IAHS stores operate to a strict code of ethics which governs the type of products they stock and the manner in which they are sold.
Finally, to put the whole matter in perspective, strong, potentially dangerous pharmaceutical drugs are freely available in supermarkets and petrol stations, outlets where expertise on their use may be a little difficult to come by.
Not very convincing, Mr Quinn. - Yours, etc.,
From Brod Kearon
Proprietor, IAHS member store, Greystones, Co Wicklow.