The death of Jim Petrie on 31 August was a tremendous loss for everyone who knew him. He had achieved so much and still had more to do in a career that spanned many facets of medicine. He was a good friend and a wise counsellor to this Journal and the Faculty.

Jim Petrie was Professor of Clinical Pharmacology at Aberdeen University, Head of the Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, and consultant physician at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. He was an Aberdeen graduate and committed himself to the university and hospitals there. His Scottish background made him an ideal originator and facilitator of medical and collegiate initiatives. He was the immediate past President of the Edinburgh College of Physicians where his personal attributes extended further afield. Indeed, Jim had an international penchant, having lived abroad, and was a good ambassador.

Jim contributed greatly to organizing in Scotland the production of over 50 clinical guidelines based on the best clinical and research evidence. In a similar manner, he chaired expert groups to develop clinical guidelines for the Council of Europe and the World Health Organization. His co-ordinating work extended to standardization of blood pressure measurements and, together with the British Society of Hypertension, produced training material for doctors and nurses. Nowadays the large-scale clinical trials in hypertension reflect these standards.

His contributions to pharmaceutical medicine were considerable. Having served on the Committee on Safety of Medicines for many years, he was Deputy Chairman. He was on the Foundation Board of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine, where his foresight was invaluable, and he continued to serve on the Board as the Edinburgh College Representative. He was a member of the Board of Examiners and only ceased to serve when his College duties increased. In all these activities, his advice was sound, sometimes critical, but invariably persuasive. As College President, he continued to facilitate Faculty involvement in initiatives, such as the UK Consensus Conference on Misconduct in Biomedical Research.

Jim was joint editor of Pharmaceutical Medicine, the forerunner of this Journal, until the merger with the Journal of Pharmaceutical Medicine when he stood down and the publishers appointed the late David Freestone. Jim espoused a firm and independent editorial philosophy, and later as a member of the Editorial Board his advice was readily available and sought.

Educated in Geneva and Aberdeen, he was an excellent skier. Memories of Jim are fond ones. He had a good sense of humour and enjoyed social occasions. His intellect was immense and he argued his point fairly and firmly. He was a truly family man and our condolences go to his wife, Xanthe, his four children, who are doctors, and his six grandchildren.

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