Tribute to Bernard Hardisty

We were sorry to read of Bernard’s death.

We first met Bernard in the late 1970s when we began educating pharmacists about recognising signs and symptoms which allowed them to differentiate major illnesses requiring referral to a doctor, from minor problems which could be treated and monitored by community pharmacists. Our efforts were different in that we were a partnership of a pharmacist and a GP and with the help of both Robert Blyth and his editorial team at The Pharmaceutical Journal and Bernard and his colleagues at Sterling-Winthrop, we were able to spread the word as widely as possible.

We are grateful for Bernard assisting us in our efforts. He was forward-looking enough to embrace what we were trying to do with his commercial interests and by doing so, he encouraged community pharmacists to accept their role in responding to symptoms and to expand that role. Part of his legacy therefore must be in beginning the development of a more clinical role for community pharmacists. It was a pleasure to work with him. We send our condolences to his children, Sue and Mark.