The Pharmaceutical Journal Vol 267 No 7174 p727-729
17 November 2001

This article
Reprint
Photocopy

Society News summary

From the President: New challenges for the Society

The public's relationship with the professions is changing. Not so long ago, a monopoly on knowledge was part of the general expectation of professionals, particularly health professionals. Only a few years ago, a paternalistic attitude from professionals might have been more acceptable to the public, although not right. Now, the notion of "the healer" on the one hand and "the healed" on the other is no longer appropriate — indeed, if it ever were. People rightly expect to have a say in their health care. People of all ages and social groups have access to more information about their health than ever before by means of a huge range of media, including the internet. Health professions are beginning to recognise the complex and variable information needs of people in different circumstances. Patient-centred therapeutic partnerships, founded on the principles of concordance, are being developed in acknowledgement that patients themselves are in the driving seat where their treatment is concerned.

Society grants professionals the privilege of practising in their chosen field. In return, society increasingly demands that professionals, especially health professionals, demonstrate their contribution to the common good. This was highlighted in "Pharmacy in the future" as the need "to ensure that public confidence in the profession is maintained and enhanced."

For a regulator, this confidence means ensuring a competent and accountable profession. As a self-regulating profession, pharmacy has kept its house in order — that is not at issue. We are proud of the Society's record both in guiding pharmacists towards excellence and dealing with the small number whose conduct falls short. Within the framework of statute and charter through which we operate, we have demonstrated an effective commitment to the safety and well-being of the public.

But modern times demand modern ways of operating. A series of high-profile medical cases has highlighted the need for more robust regulatory and practice frameworks for all health professionals. In particular, the report by Professor Ian Kennedy into paediatric cardiology services at Bristol Royal Infirmary is a seminal document that points the way ahead. The report has acted as a catalyst for the establishment of an overarching regulatory body for the health professions, including our own, which the new NHS Reform and Health Care Professions Bill published last week [see p701] makes a reality.

The new Bill contains proposals to hold regulatory bodies to account for their performance and to ensure that they act in a consistent manner. Among the many changes heralded by the legislation is the prospect that health professionals will be expected to demonstrate their fitness to practise throughout their working lives. It follows that the performance of all health professionals will need to meet commonly accepted standards and be measured in the same way.

The Society has a unique span of authority. Some say that our responsibilities do not sit comfortably with one another and that professional development and regulation should be divided between different bodies. Some — myself included — regard it a strength to be in a position to shape a coherent approach to the education, professional development, standards of practice and commitment to continuing improvement that mark a profession.

Professor Kennedy and the Government share such a vision of professional regulation. The new Bill acknowledges that the Society's approach to regulation goes beyond discipline, which, in our role, is integrated with education and training and registration. Two key further elements are evolving as part of the vision for the future: continuing professional development and assurance of competence. The Society has been preparing the framework for the former and is considering how to implement the latter as part of the development of an overall regulatory framework that addresses fitness to practise alongside conduct.

As a result, in 2002 the Society needs to embark on work that will:

• Ensure that the various frameworks from which the Society takes its powers and remit are fit for purpose
• Strengthen existing conduct and disciplinary machinery
• Develop systems to deal with the competence of pharmacists at all stages in their careers
• Integrate approaches to conduct and competence into a modern framework for the regulation of the pharmacy profession
• Strengthen underpinning governance and infrastructure across the Society in England, Scotland and Wales

We do not underestimate the challenges ahead for pharmacists and for the organisation of the Society. We are proactively seeking to influence the final shape and role of the new overarching regulator to ensure that we continue to be in a position to exercise our responsibilities to the public and the profession. Ultimately, as a profession, we must embrace the principles of accountability and transparency with an alacrity and enthusiasm that reflect our continued commitment to serving the public interest.

Back to Top