The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 268 No 7190 p397-401
23 March 2002

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  Remuneration
  Pharmacist prescribing
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Letters to the Editor

CPD

CPD will apply to all practising pharmacists

From Mr A. Tanna, FRPharmS

In his letter, P. I. Herman (PJ, 2 March, p287) asks whether the Royal Pharmaceutical Society can refuse to register an EU pharmacist? It is my understanding that the Society cannot refuse to register an EU pharmacist. But once one has registered and continues to practise in Britain, he or she will be subject to the same CPD requirements as a British pharmacist. These requirements will apply to all pharmacists regardless of their country of origin. Another important and fundamental aspect, especially with respect to Europe, is that these matters were discussed in the EU Advisory Committee on Pharmaceutical Training some years ago and this type of post-qualification requirement was anticipated and accepted.

Finally it will be apparent to any well-informed members of the public, let alone the readers of The Journal, that the patient and consumer interest, and most importantly the Government, are insistent that all health professionals must undertake CPD. The most recent manifestation of this insistence is in the Government's official response to the Kennedy report on the tragic problems with paediatric heart surgery in Bristol. The Society has no choice in the matter and therefore it would be reasonable and justifiable to invest and to work to achieve a CPD system that applies to all pharmacists. It should be a professional requirement to remain on the register if one wished to practise as pharmacist

The Society is working with pharmacists and other organisations to realise a system which will fit with and provide evidence of the informal CPD that many pharmacists engage in as well as formal courses, workshops and distance learning.

Ashwin Tanna
London SE26

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