Ethics concerns raised as East Neuk pharmacy allowed to sell alcohol

Objectors claim move breaches professional code

A Pittenweem chemist has been granted permission to sell alcohol, despite concerns the move is unethical.

Atholl Reid, who lives locally, highlighted the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s Code of Ethics while objecting to Pittenweem Pharmacy’s application for a liquor licence.

“Pharmacists must not purchase for sale on registered pharmacy premises any product which may be injurious to public health or bring the profession into disrepute,” he said.

Councillors on the board heard the pharmacy already sells cigarettes, which are also specifically prohibited by the code, which has now been superseded by standards set by the General Pharmaceutical Council.

Principle pharmacist Peter Tinkler argued that the dispensing section of the Pittenweem premises was separate from the post office, newsagent and off-sales at the Market Street shop.

And he said changes in the way post offices are run meant the business had to diversify to stay afloat.

But objections were heard from Mr Reid and the proprietor of the neighbouring shop, Traquair’s.

Mr Reid, who helps out in Traquair’s, continued: “I find it incomprehensible that a pharmacy owner would consider selling alcohol to his customers, which seems to be contrary to his code of ethics, which is to enhance the health of his customers.”

He and Maureen Traquair of Traquair’s said there was an “over sufficiency” of alcohol sales in the village and raised concerns about youths travelling to Pittenweem to buy alcohol.

Ms Traquair, who sells wines, some spirits and beers at her shop, said if granted the licence could result in her business folding.

She added: “This pharmacy already sells cigarettes, which is quite surprising to a lot of people.”

The licence was approved after Mr Tinkler amended his application to restrict the premises’ closing time to 6pm six days a week.

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has described the licence to sell alcohol at Pittenweem as “disappointing”.

Aileen Bryson, the society’s interim director for Scotland, said: “As the professional body for individual pharmacists, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society would not support the sale of products detrimental to health such as alcohol or cigarettes from a registered pharmacy.”

This pharmacy already sells cigarettes, which is quite surprising to a lot of people. MAUREEN TRAQUAIR