A Pharmacy Consultant is currently visiting the Island and is working at the General Hospital with the Public Health and Social Services Department. Dr John Farwell arrived on 22 November and will remain on Island until 15 December of this year.

Assistant Secretary Betty Peters said: "Dr Farwell is no stranger to the Island as he undertook a review of the Public Health and Social Services pharmacy in October 2001." Commenting on the success of the last visit she said: "This consultancy was very successful and the advice resultant from this visit enabled the department to work effectively within the budgetary framework available for drugs."

In 2001 Nicare organised a review of the drugs that were being ordered by the Public Health and social Services Department and it is now time for another review. This exercise is being undertaken by Dr Farwell. Betty explained that this is necessary because, since 2001 the market and the Island’s requirements are likely to have changed. In addition to this review, Dr Farwell will be assessing the current training needs of staff at the dispensary, providing training where necessary, providing advice and assistance with the computerisation of drug stock control records, and suggesting ways of reducing costs if at all possible. He will be working closely with dispensary staff, the Senior Medical Officer, and the Senior Nursing Officer.

The visit is being funded from the Health Link II Project.