Background
Though the cradle of pharmacy is considered to be Mesopotamia a, prescribing developed when diagnosis of disease and supply of treatment were at least partially separated.(Jepson MH 1989) In 1704, apothecaries won the right to diagnose, prescribe and dispense which ratified their status as members of the medical profession. Apothecaries evolved from the community pharmacists to general practitioners. The Chemist and Druggist remained the expert on drugs but were not permitted to prescribe; the apothecaries were now the GPs. (Strickland-Hodge, 2004). Now at the end of 2005, pharmacists have taken on the role of supplementary prescriber with the medical practitioner continuing to diagnose both professions using their expertise to the benefit of the patient. (Crown Report 1999)
The move into the new role of independent prescriber needs to carefully consider that this use of the professional expertise does not become lost in a sea of definitions, recriminations and accusations as in the 1704 apothecaries versus the Physicians case.

Method
Former students of the Leeds University supplementary prescribing module were visited and canvassed for their views on the developments.

Discussion
In the course of these discussions, a number of roles were identified. In secondary care, many of the specialist pharmacists were legitimising the role they had had for some time. In other cases also in secondary care, clinics previously run by physicians with nurse support were being expanded and patients offered quicker access though the new level of supplementary prescriber both pharmacists and nurses. In primary care, pharmacists were tending to use their role within medicines management, patient medication reviews and in some cases specialist clinics such as for regular hypertension reviews.

Findings
Overall the results showed that in line with many of the developments in medicine management such as the creation of PGDs and patients specific directions, Government has recognised the need for formal support of professionals in their developing roles.. Prescribing is a natural extension of diagnosis and the two need to be closely linked. Whether pharmacists need to have both strings to the bow or to maintain their pharmaceutical expertise leaving the diagnosis to others is an intereting discussion point.

Conclusion
Pharmacists retain the expertise in pharmacology and therapeutics related to medicinal products. The inter professional role working with diagnosticians in various fields allows the pharmacist to exploit this expertise.

References

Jepson MH 1989 The history and scope of pharmacy IN A Keyguide to Sources in Pharmacy eds. Strickland-Hodge B, Jepson MH, Reid BJ. Mansell Publishing Ltd London
Strickland-Hodge, B 2004, The role of the supplementary prescriber is being defined. Pharmacy in Practice 2004 14 174-178