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156
PRESCRIPTIONS.
It is obviously of the greatest importance to the public generally,
and the medical profession in particular, that prescriptions should be made
up with absolute accuracy, yet analysis showed that in 25 cases of simple
prescriptions handed over the counter, no less than 13, or 52 per cent., of
them were found to be inaccurately dispensed.
Upon enquiry it was found that in many cases the deficiency of active
principles was due to a careless system of dispensing which was becoming
common, viz. : the correct quantity of the drug was measured or weighed, but
the water was simply added in amount sufficient to fill the bottle, the
capacity of which was assumed to be accurate.
That this assumption is a dangerous one is shown by the fact that it was
found by experiment that a six-ounce bottle may be as much as 5½ drams, or
11.25 per cent. in excess of the reputed contents.
Consequently, if the assumed capacity of the bottle is relied upon by the
dispenser, and the dose measured, the quantity of the drug ordered by
the physician to be taken by the patient will be diminished to this extent.
The only way, therefore, in which accuracy in dispensing can be ensured is
to measure the amount of water as well as the drugs.
It being clear that in these cases there was no intention of fraud or
intention to deceive on the part of the chemists, no legal proceedings
were taken against them, and, at my suggestion, the Committee directed
that a circular letter, of which a copy is here given, should be sent
to every prescribing chemist in the City.
"DISPENSING.
"Several samples of prescriptions recently made up at Chemists' shops
"in the City of London have been certified by the Public Analyst to be
"deficient in the ingredients required by the formula submitted by the
"purchaser.
"Investigation shows that in some cases the deficiency of the active
"principle prescribed was due to the prevalent custom among dispensers
"of weighing or measuring the drug and adding sufficient water to fill
"the bottle, the capacity of which is assumed to be accurate. This is a
"dangerous assumption, as shown by the fact that a sample of reputed
"six-ounce bottles was found to contain on an average 5½ drams in
"excess of this quantity, equal to 11.25 per cent. It is obvious that if
"the dose be measured, the quantity of the drug taken by the patient
"will be diminished to this extent.
"Accuracy in dispensing is essential, and this can only be ensured by
"measuring the water employed as well as the drugs.