PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - David Roberts
TI  - Dispensing by the community pharmacist: an unstoppable decline?
DP  - 1988 Dec 01
TA  - The Journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners
PG  - 563--564
VI  - 38
IP  - 317
4099  - http://bjgp.org/content/38/317/563.short
4100  - http://bjgp.org/content/38/317/563.full
SO  - J R Coll Gen Pract1988 Dec 01; 38
AB  - After posing the question `Is your chemist really necessary?' this article demonstrates that the original role of the retail chemist - the preparation and safe dispensing of medicines - has become eroded. Furthermore, it is shown that the proposed new community roles are currently being carried out by other members of the primary care team. Finally, it is argued that the retail pharmacist may not give value for money and that doctor dispensing is a less expensive and safer alternative.