PJ Letters: Separate registers

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The Pharmaceutical Journal Vol 267 No 7155 p15-16
July 7, 2001

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  Pharmacy technicians
  Education
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  Self-checking
  SGM
  Separate registers
  Primary care pharmacy

Letters to the Editor

Separate registers (2 letters)

Recognition of non-practitioners’ professional efforts

From Mr M. D. Moore, MRPharmS

I write in support of Elizabeth Harrison (PJ, June 16, p820) regarding a separate register for non-practising pharmacists.

I have twice written to the Health Act Working Party on this issue, initially in response to preliminary consultation paper 1 and then, in February this year, following publication of the proposals for the introduction of competence-based practising rights. In the second letter I wrote: “The problem that I foresaw, which still appears to exist, is that there does not appear to be any arrangement for those, like myself, who have consciously decided to give up active practice to remain members of the [Royal Pharmaceutical] Society, which we wish to do, since the present legal situation joins registration, and thus the ability to practise as a pharmacist, with membership of the Society.”

I suggested that, in addition to our registration certificate, approved competence to practise would carry a further certificate, which would be displayed alongside the present registration certificate in appropriate cases. Possession of this certificate could be clearly indicated in the register.

Like Mrs Harrison I value my membership of the Society, especially as I am one of the diminishing number who qualified via the Society’s own examinations before the introduction of all-degree entry. I should be extremely upset if recognition of my early efforts was withdrawn, as my interest in my chosen profession has not lessened in any way over the years. Clearly there are others in the same position.

Michael Moore
Ashford, Kent

Why the apartheid?

From Dr G. B. Drummond, MRPharmS

Having been on the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s register since 1929 and having chosen to continue my membership even after 1936 (when my membership ceased to be a legal requirement), I wonder about the need for separate register for practising and non-practising pharmacists. Would it not be possible to continue a single register with an indication (eg, by an asterisk) of non-practising status? Why the apartheid?

G. B. Drummond
Hull

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