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12:30 P. M.

Luncheon and Music at Ohio Union. 1:30 P. M.

Business Session.

Report of Special Legislative Committees.

Report of Committee on U. S. P. and N. F. Propaganda.

Report of Committee on Trade Interests.

Report of Committee on Fire In

surance.

Report of Committee on Time and Place.

1:30 P .M.

Olentangy Park Theater Party for Ladies and Children.

ments Free.

3:30 to 5:30 P. M.

Park Amuse

Base Ball Game on Ohio Field. Knights of the Grip vs. Pill Rollers. Prizes. 8:00 P. M.

Grand Ball. O. S. U. Armory.

Music, Refreshments, Prizes.

The Convention Hall, (O. S. U. Armory) will be open from 8:00 A. M. to 6:00 P. M. each day of the meeting.

What the A. Ph. A. Branches Are Doing.*

INSPECTING PHYSICIANS' DRUGS.

The New York Branch discussed Professor Sayre's paper which appeared in the Kansas Medical Journal, on "A Plea for Uniformity in Drug Standards and for Uniform Requirements in Dispensing." It was an argument for the enactment of laws that would require the drugs dispensed by physicians to conform to the legal standards, and give to the proper State officials the right to inspect the drugs kept on hand by dispensing doctors.

John Roemer, who opened the discussion, pointed out the magnitude of the problem with which the paper dealt and declared that the conditions in New York State where seventy-five percent of all drugs sold were dispensed by physicians, were deplorable because the dispensing

*Abstracted from reports in the Journal, A. Ph. A.

doctors gave no thought to the quality of their supplies but considered only the price at which the drugs could be obtained.

Jacob Diner believed that the first steps toward better conditions should be to discontinue the exemption of the physician from the provisions of the pharmacy law. This step he considered necessary for the protection of the public. Pharmacists, he said, could get the aid of the better class of physicians toward remedying the evil, but the physicians must be first assured that the pharmccists' drugs are above criticism. Pharmacists have taken thought in the matter advanced by Mr. Diner, said Dr. G. C. Diekman; and they are, to an increasing extent, putting quality above price.

The subject will be further discussed at the next meeting.

SHALL COLLEGE EXPERIENCE COUNT? At the Denver meeting Professor Washburn, of Boulder addressed the members on the subject: "How Much of the Four Years' Experience Required by the State Law, Before One May Become a Registered Pharmacist, Should be Allowed for Graduation from a School or College

of Pharmacy?"

He said in part:

"In the discussion of the question at hand, three things must be considered. First, the public welfare and safety must be conserved. This I regard as the most important of the three. Second, a square deal must be given to those fitting themselves to enter the profession, whether it be by the school-of-pharmacy or the apprenticeship route. Third, higher edu: cation must be encouraged, for it is to this alone that we must look for any advancement in the science and art of pharmacy.

"But to say just what is the equivalent, in practical experience, of a course of instruction in a school or college of pharmacy, is by no means an easy task. While the value of a college course must necessarily vary, depending upon many factors, such as the quality of instruction, the equipment of the school and the personnel of the staff of instruction, it is a fact that the methods of instruction and the facilities for doing the work in the recognized schools and colleges of pharmacy are becoming more and more of a uniform standard.

"While this is a recognized fact, it is also recognized that the value of appren

ticeship experience depends upon a number of conditions, which in the very nature of things, it is impossible to control or even to regulate. I can imagine apprenticeship experience under such favorable conditions as to make it of equal if not superior value to any college training, but in how many drug stores do such conditions exist? Even if the proprietor is qualified to give such instruction, the chances are he is either too busy or has not the inclination. Only from those who are regularly engaged in teaching as a profession and who are paid for this service, may we expect any systematized and well regulated methods of instruction.

"Unfortunately the law makes no distinction, nor can it make any distinction, between experience gained in a store where the conditions are favorable for valuable instruction, and one where the instruction either does not exist or may even be positively bad. I have seen applicants registered on experience which was gained entirely behind the soda fountain, and which, in my judgement, did not contribute any more toward the equal amount of time spent in a laundry making of a capable pharmacist than an or a lumber yard.

"In deciding what should be done. towards the solution of this question in Colorado, I believe we may as well look about us and see what the other states are doing. A summary of figures will show that a large majority of the states require four years' experience. Also that the average store experience required of graduates is two years. I therefore suggest, Mr. President, that this body recommend to the State Board of Pharmacy of Colorado that two years of the four required by our state law be allowed for graduation from a recognized school or college of pharmacy."

Publicity Work of O. S. P. A. Continues.

The following is one of the articles appearing in the daily press concerning the revision of the Federal Postal laws in reference to drug items:

"The attitude of the Ohio State Pharmaceutical Association and similar organizations in other states towards the revision of the Federal postal laws touching the sending of articles through

the mails by either retail or wholesale druggists has taken a concrete form.

"At the meeting of the Ohio Association, together with the representatives from a number of other states, held in Columbus a short time ago, a committee was appointed to draft resolutions plainly expressing the views held regarding the regulations of the postoffice department as they now exist. This committee was headed by Prof. J. H. Beal, secretary of the National Pharmaceutical Association, and had among its members a number of the leading wholesale and retail druggists of the entire country.

"It has now submitted its report which reads as follows:

To the Chairman and Members of the Council of the Ohio State Pharmaceutical Association:

"Gentlemen:-The special committee which was instructed to prepare appropriate resolutions representing the attitude of the Ohio State Pharmaceutical Association upon existing United States postal laws regulating the transmission of drugs, medicines and medical appliances by mail, respectfully presents and recommends the adoption of the following preamble and resolutions:

"WHEREAS, The United States postal laws regulating the transmission by mail of drugs, compounded medicines and medical appliances are so indefinite in their provisions as to render it difficult or impossible to determine the character of substances which may be lawfully transmitted by mail; and

"WHEREAS, Many useful and necessary drugs, medicines and medical appliances are of such a nature that they can also be used for improper purposes when in the hands of criminally inclined; and

"WHEREAS, Druggists innocent of any evil intent have been arrested and fined for technical violation of the said postal laws, therefore be it

"RESOLVED, That the druggists of the. State of Ohio request of the Federal Congress that it make such a revision of the postal laws as will make clear and definite the character of drugs, medicines and medical appliances that may be lawfully transmitted by mail and be it further

"RESOLVED, That when the articles are such as have a proper and legitimate use in medicine, druggists should not be held criminally liable for sending such articles

by mail unless it be shown that such articles were mailed with guilty intent, and be it also further

"RESOLVED, That in all prosecutions for the violation of such laws the accused shall be permitted to show in defense that such articles were mailed in good faith to be used for legitimate purposes only, and without any reason to believe that they were to be used for immoral or other improper purposes."

"Copies of these resolutions will be mailed to all of the members of the National Congress before the opening of the special session in April and this will be supplemented by the visit of a special committee to Washington to appear before the proper committees of both the House and Senate. Consent for this has already been obtained.

"A meeting of the Council of the Ohio Association will be held in Columbus shortly at which a further program for action will be decided upon. Prof. George B. Kauffman, of Columbus, chairman of the Council, will issue the call within the next few days.

"The resolutions have the endorsement of several thousand druggists in Ohio and the official sanction of druggists' organizations in many of the different states.

"The agitation for postal revision is not confined to Ohio alone, but has its affiliations in all of the other states and has already assumed a national aspect. It is the expectation that a country-wide meeting of druggists will be held either in Columbus or some other Ohio city within the next few months to take up for consideration matters of general interest."

Washington Branch Discusses Anti-Narcotic Legislation.

Members of the Washington Branch of the A. Ph. A. were disappointed that Hon. Burton Harrison was unable to attend their meeting on March 12th, as anticipated.

The question of anti-narcotic legisislation was the topic of the evening and Mr. M. I. Wilbert opened the discussion.

Mr. Wilbert's paper showed the extent to which anti-narcotic legislation had advanced throughout the fifty-five political divisions of the United States, and that the laws governing the sale of narcotics were becoming more stringent and more uniform; that the necessity for

[graphic]

OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY.-(For description see Ohio State College Pharmacy News.)

interstate regulation of the sale of narcotics has become generally apparent, and that if a measure to govern such traffic were introduced into Congress, it would receive the support of law-respecting pharmacists and physicians. He pointed to the endorsements of the National Drug Trade Conference held in Washington, January 15, 1913, and to that of the Ninth Annual Conference on Medical Legislation, held in Chicago, February 25, 1913, for a bill of this character, and showed clearly that the objections thereto were of minor character and could be effectually eliminated. He described the merits of H. R. 28277 (the Harrison Bill) and made clear that such a bill would effectively remove the present deplorable conditions existent with regard to the sale of narcotic drugs.

In addition he submitted statistics showing that 1,170,000 kilos (22,722 cases) of cocoa leaves were produced in Java, and of this quantity 179,540 pounds, representing approximately 10 tons of cocaine or one-half the product, was used in the United States. This quantity does not include the production of cocoa in other countries, much of which is imported into this country.

Mr. Hilton called attention to the Drug Trade conference meeting and pointed out some of the defects of the bill H. R. 28277 apparent to the conference, namely, Section 4 and Section 10.

With the further discussion of the Harrison Bill, Dr. W. C. Woodward called attention to the fact that it was unfortunate that a law of the kind proposed would necessarily be a burden in a greater or less extent to the pharmacist, who would be the one most affected by it. He also remarked that the government in this matter had a dual potentiality, that of regulating interstate commerce, and, further, that of going into a State and taxing those engaged in the traffic, both of which being made necessary by the features involved. Provisions requiring Provisions requiring the limiting of the issue of licenses to those actually registered and licensed as physicians and pharmacists, he believed, were absolutely imperative, and he regretted that both Dr. Hamilton Wright and Congressman Harrison were not present to hear the views of the members in this matter. He stated that Dr. Wright had represented the United States Government at The Hague at several conferences held for the purpose

of controlling habit-forming drugs of the world, and meet those interested half way, so that an agreement might be reached, and thereby secure by act of Congress a law controlling said products, saving the honor of the United States before The Hague.

A bill as proposed by the Drug Trade Conference was then presented by Mr. Wilbert.

Dr. Alsberg, Chief of the Bureau of Chemistry, Department of Agriculture, spoke specifically that he was in favor of such legislation but had not sufficiently considered what had been offered, to express any definite view on the pending or proposed bills, but intends to the best of his ability and in his official capacity to enforce the present laws to their limit. He favors although he did not express himself fully-the drafting of a bill covering the sale of cocaine solely, and that another bill be provided for the other habit-forming drugs. He, himself, desires statistics of a definite character showing what becomes of narcotic drugs, i. e. what part is legitimately used and what per centum is illegitimately used.

The question of external remedies containing narcotics was brought up by Mr. W. S. Richardson, who believes that the sale of which should not be restricted by the provisions of the proposed legislation.

Following a minor discussion of the question raised by Mr. Richardson, the bill as proposed by the Drug Trade Conference was again taken up and defended by Dr. Woodward, who declared that the physician could not keep an accurate and complete record of each dose of a narcotic which he might prescribe. Further discussion was participated in by Messrs. Fuller, Wilbert, Kebler, Alsberg, Richardson, Hunt, Hurlebaus, Flemer, Mankin, Hilton and Dr. Crampton, all favoring the enactment of a law by Congress controlling interstate commerce in habit-forming drugs. Crampton dwelt at some length upon an agreement of interests, and also co-operation with proper executive officers having the enforcement of such laws in the drafting of proper regulations for the enforcement thereof, and upon the co-ordination of all revenue laws which is so desirable.

Dr.

The next meeting will be held April 16, 1913.

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