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Welcome to the May 2012 homepage edition of i2P-Information to Pharmacists. Rollo Manning has been having some time out having staples removed from the site of his open heart surgery.He is now at home recuperating in Darwin, having arrived home last Friday, beating a cold and hasty retreat from Canberra.We all wish him a speedy recovery and hopefully, he will be fit enough to contribute by next month.
This month, Pharmedia discusses the toll that is taken when someone complains about you to an authority without good cause. Well, the good news is that you can now take action to protect yourself if such a complaint is made, and that may even include action for defamation. Read about a recent case involving two doctors, with Mark Coleman drawing on personal experience to illustrate.

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I'm a fan of Hugh Mackay........it's a pity he's right.

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	Chris Wright articles by this author...
Chris has spent many years in the pharmaceutical industry and is semi-retired. He has an interest in supply chain procedures, and work flows within community pharmacies, and he provides consultancies around those activities.

Hugh Mackay does not need a thesis for an introduction, for we are all somewhat familiar with his work.
A psychologist, social researcher and gifted writer, his lifelong devotion to studying the attitudes and values of people has struck a chord with most students of human nature.
Many wonder exactly what an Australian is these days but above all, we mostly hold dear the two core (sorry Kevin) principles of a “fair go” and being respectful of those of a different culture than us.
For example, I have a Jewish friend who recently married a hajib wearing Muslim.

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I confess to blinking a touch at this not all that unusual happenstance but had a bit of a chuckle when told the bride was unreservedly welcomed at a rather august club with ancient Anglo-Saxon Celtic roots that happens to celebrate Hanukkah with feverish gusto.
Yes, how very Australian. 

No, it’s not us, the people with a problem.
it’s the way people conduct business these days that has us all up in arms.
Well, some people are a problem.
Take Senator Jacinta Collins, who threw her rattle out of the cot when a Government car was not available to pick her up at Tullamarine.
Senator Collins was reported in the Melbourne Herald Sun to have said she was not complaining about Commcar, and she had been a long-time supporter of the service.
Who is this? Paris bloody Hilton!

As taxpayers I’m sure we are all full of gratitude that we have a Senator who was a long-time supporter of something we pay for, I’m sure many of us will require counseling at the devastating news that the good Senator “had” been a long-time supporter of the service.

What a shame she appears to no longer have the confidence of the service.
The objection seems to be that the Princess Senator was told she actually had to queue for a taxi, rather than travel in one.

Ahhh, the way we behave.

On Saturday I answered the phone (very unusual, as I always vet calls) to a fellow from the Indian Sub-Continent who was clearly distressed by the fact I had apparently not paid my electricity account.
I suggested he call me back in 15 minutes so that I have time to check my records.
This was acceptable, and by the time he called back I had discovered that I had mistakenly paid the account against the gas account, rather than the electricity account. (Same provider, same account number)

Him: “Hello, Mr Chris Wright?”

Me: “Yes”.

Him: “Have you checked your records”?

Me: “Yes, I mistakenly paid the amount on my gas account”.

Him: “Have you told (the provider)?”

Me: “How can I have done that? I’ve just realized it myself”.

Him: “Can you give me the payment details?”

Me: “No, you don’t need to know my banking details, besides, you should know that the amount has been paid.”

Him: “How was it paid, then”?

Me: “BPay”.

Him: “Thank you very much, have a good day.”

One would think the drama had come to an end, but no, my gas/electricity provider had other ideas.

I later received a message to say; ‘Mr Chris Wright, please urgently call (number) between 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday and quote (number). 

Despite the fact my magnanimous attitude was fast dissipating I called the number, only to be confronted by a message telling me; “This number has restricted access, please call between 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday”.

At this point I decide to play the game, so I jumped onto their website and sent the following in an email.
"Good afternoon, it’s Saturday. I have been called on three occasions today regarding the apparent ”non payment" of my gas account and despite explaining that the outstanding amount of $156.64 has been inadvertently paid into my electricity account (of which you are currently enjoying a credit of $98.22) I've been urgently advised to call during business hours quoting ref (number).
Regrettably, I'm not available during business hours.
However, I will take your urgent call next Saturday."

I thought I had had the last laugh until I received an email almost immediately saying;

"Dear Mr Wright,
Your (deleted) enquiry has now been lodged.
Your reference number for this enquiry is (deleted)
Please remember to quote this reference number if you contact (deleted) by telephone.
One of our customer service representatives will respond to your enquiry within a few business days.
If the matter is urgent please call our customer service centre on (deleted) between 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday.

 Yours sincerely,

 (deleted) Customer Support"

Clearly, urgency only applies to certain days of the week!

Are we a country ruled by power crazed mini-me bureaucrats?
The answer appears to be yes.

We are being increasingly confronted by people with a tiny little touch of power the size of a Pomeranian who have a deep seated pathological desire to be a Rottweiler. 

I may not have any power by the time you read this rubbish, but at least I’ll have a couple of “attitude free” days….

Chris Wright.

June 2009

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