What can we do, they moan?

Well, the first thing should be to unite together to protest and protest vigorously.   But, of course, you are already united under the DDA.  I should know, after all, I founded it.   Sadly, under the present leadership it has cosied up so closely to HMG/GPC and the chemists that it has scarcely any independence of thought or action - and, certainly no balls, from the Chairman down.   Risks are not what its infiltrated Board take.

The only way to get sense out of the DDA Ltd is to call an EGM to force a vote of no-confidence in the lack-lustre leadership or Board and to elect a new, responsive, forward looking leadership of your own.

Remember, in your favour is the fact that when they took-over the original DDA the present group could only do so by recreating themselves as a Ltd company with all that entails under strict national, company law.

So, don't just sit by and whinge - do it.

However, what should the DDA be doing?

They are now boasting of a membership considerably greater than 2000 dispensing doctors.   That is a lot of dispensing muscle and should be used not simply to pay their own fat expenses but for your good.

I was told, in my early days of dispensing politics, that the dispensary had to "stand alone" and live off its profits.   It's a business, said HMG and GMSC/GPC.

OK, so it's a business, then as with any other business it is able to source its supplies from wherever the greatest profits may be made (just so long as patients are not harmed).

Imagine the consternation in government circles if 2-3000 dispensing doctors  advised the government that on July 1st 2005 they would all prescribe the safest and most profitable medicines for their patients in order to protect the service they provided.    A closely argued, factual case for doing so would be presented at the same time.

Imagine the further consternation if this was followed up by the logical argument, provided by an independent source, of the safety of branded over generics.  This would mention the appalling sources of some generics and their constituents and the fact that branded manufacturers stamp their names on their pills and stand by them.   It would also mention the ease with which generics may be countefeited.

Imagine if that case were presented to the tabloids together with HMGs demands and bribery to dispense the cheapest drugs, come what may.

But, just don't expect the pompous DDA Ltd to help.   They are just not up to it.

Of course, you could all quit the DDA Ltd and start again.

(15/4/05)