In November 2017 our pharmacy was subject to the customary Ministry of Health audit (in our case this happens about every five years).
As my day with the auditor progressed, my levels of frustration grew!! The legislation had not changed, but the auditor’s interpretation of those regulations was significantly different to that of the auditor on the previous occasion. Procedures and documents deemed appropriate previously were now unacceptable!
By way of example: It was determined that we should cease selling a cough mixture that we frequently dispensed because ‘our label had not been approved by the Director General of Health.’
I was left wondering about the lack of trust in professional and ethical responsibility and the inability to recognise common sense as a guiding principle.
We received the auditor’s report on the 24th December. Proof of making the changes deemed necessary by the auditor required confirmation by January 26th. Naturally this task was completed as requested. It is now August (7 months later) and I am still awaiting the audit process to be officially signed off!
I was chatting with a friend about my audit experience and in turn he sent me this ‘Obituary’ printed in the London Times.
Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, "Common Sense", who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:
- Knowing when to come out of the rain
- -Why the early bird gets the worm
- -Life isn’t always fair
- -And maybe it was my fault
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don’t spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).
His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate, teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch, and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.
Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun-tan lotion or paracetamol to a student.
Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realise that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and then was promptly awarded a huge settlement.
Common Sense was preceded in death,
- -by his parents, Truth and Trust
- -by his wife, Discretion
- -by his daughter, Responsibility
- -by his son, Reason
He is survived by his 5 Stepbrothers
- -I Know My Rights
- -I Want it Now
- -Someone Else is to Blame
- -I’m a Victim
- -Pay me for Doing Nothing
Not many attended his funeral because, so few realised he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.