Welcome to your June issue, where you will find the usual eclectic mix of clinical content, sharp and informed opinion, and a chance to earn a couple of CPD points.
In our Opinion section, Terry Maguire provides a fascinating insight into the horrific use of chemical/biological agents in the Vietnam War (or the ‘American War’, as the Vietnamese people describe it). The ongoing legacy is outlined by Terry, including stillbirths and birth abnormalities.
It’s a little depressing that we are talking about this more than 50 years later against the backdrop of the numerous wars that are currently ongoing. As always, it’s the ordinary people who suffer most, and humanity never seems to learn its lesson.
Also on a serious note, Dr Des Corrigan writes an excellent piece where he suggests that the new National Drug Strategy ‘ignores’ health inequalities and the role of pharmacy, and the vital contributions that pharmacists can make in both treatment and prevention.
There will come a time, preferably sooner rather than later, when health strategies that do not have pharmacists as a central element are the exception rather than the rule, but we’re not there yet.
In our News section, there is a piece on recent research suggesting that the impact on teens of social media may in fact be less serious than we have generally assumed.
This is controversial, as there has been much research on the impact of social media on teenagers and other young people. While the new study acknowledges this, it also suggests social media is less influential when compared to other social and environmental factors in young people’s lives. As I say, the findings are controversial, but drop us a line to share your opinion.
Elsewhere, and on a lighter note, congratulations to Caoimhe McAuley, newly- appointed President of the IPU and to Declan O’Sullivan, new President of the Hospital Pharmacists Association of Ireland (HPAI).
Both organisations haveseen huge changes in recent years. The IPU has needed to use some nimble footwork to keep pace with changes in the working lives of its members. Likewise, the HPAI has guided its members through seismic changes in hospital pharmacy, and it is hugely reassuring to see both organisations keeping patient care front-and-centre of all their endeavours.
A tip of the cap to Tom Murray, outgoing President of the IPU, and Richard Sykes, outgoing HPAI President, for steering their respective ships through the unpredictable waters of the past few years. Be sure to check out our July issue for reports from both the IPU and HPAI national conferences.
With the IPU and HPAI both in safe hands, the future, like the weather, is increasingly bright.
Pat Kelly, pat@greenx.ie
