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Letter: A black eye to the pharmacy profession

(Rick Egan | Tribune file photo) Family physician Dr. Marc C. Babitz, center, says a few words as elected officials, from left, Utah Senate President J. Stuart Adams, Sen. Kirk Cullimore, Dr. Kurt Hegmann, director of Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health at the University of Utah, Dan Richards, CEO, pharmacist of Meds In Motion Pharmacy, and Sen. Karen Mayne, keep their distance from each other as they talk about how they are teaming up to fight the coronavirus, in a news conference at the Utah State Capitol, Friday, March 20, 2020.

Here’s to Dan Richards and Meds in Motion Pharmacy where, according to its website, “Our goal is to get you the medication that you need at the discounted prices you deserve.”

He has just given a huge black eye to the profession of pharmacy. I cannot understand how he can justify charging $40 per dose for hydroxychloroquine when a bottle of 60 tablets retails for as little as $6 at local pharmacies (check GoodRx.com).

Hydroxychloroquine treatment has not been proven effective for treatment of COVID-19 and has long been known to be dangerous even in normal doses.

Pharmacists used to always be listed as the most trusted profession. No more with the likes of Mr. Richards.

When I went to pharmacy school at the University of Utah, I was taught to respect the scientific method. I learned not to accept anecdotal evidence and, most of all, not to profit from others’ misfortunes.

Unfortunately, in times of crisis, there are always those who, under the guise of helping, will figure out a way to profit from others’ misfortune.

John R. Stromness, R.Ph., Millcreek

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