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The Society
Letters to the Editor
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The Society
Why not follow the US example?
From Mr G. Hall, MRPharmS
I think most pharmacists would agree the current state of the profession
is perilous. We have a crisis in payments for community pharmacists, a
wage-driven crisis in the hospital sector, low morale in the profession
and no representation from a central body. Groups such as the Pharmaceutical
Services Negotiating Committee and the Guild of Healthcare Pharmacists
represent sectors of the profession — both have had little success
improving conditions enough to attract and retain new recruits and prevent
the slide into the current crisis.
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society cannot promote sectoral or individual
interests under the current charter. However pharmacists have to pay a
large sum of money to the Society to remain registered and receive The
Journal.
Recently I was reading the annual report of the American Society of Health-System
Pharmacists (ASHP). What a contrast to the grim situation in the United
Kingdom.
Last year the ASHP celebrated a groundbreaking victory with the introduction
of the Medicare Pharmacists Services Coverage Act 2001. This will mean
that United States pharmacists can bill the state for patient-centred
activities, because they will be recognised health care providers. This
is an important recognition of the pharmacist’s patient care skills.
The US has a similar crisis in pharmacist numbers to ours but its response
to this crisis is somewhat different to our own. The ASHP introduced the
Pharmacy Education Aid Act 2001, which will augment federal funding for
pharmacy student education, and help expand existing pharmacy schools.
These are just two examples of how the profession in the US, with its
cohesive representation, can achieve things that we in the UK can only
dream about.
Membership of the ASHP is voluntary. Just about every pharmacist in the
US, however, chooses to be a member. Large profits are generated from
ASHP conferences funding the commissioning of work that allows the profession
to stay one step ahead of developments in health care delivery. Contrast
this with the British Pharmaceutical Conference, which often makes a loss.
The ASHP of course does not have the “synergy” that the Royal
Pharmaceutical Society thinks is such a strength for the profession in
the UK. It has no regulatory role. Pharmacists in the US must be registered
with their state board of pharmacy and these boards regulate the profession,
at a much lower cost than our Society manages to achieve.
We are faced with a historic opportunity to modernise the way the profession
is represented and regulated. The favoured choice of the Society from
the options paper appears to be business as usual with minimal change.
The alternative is to move towards a professional body that continually
strives to stay ahead of the evolving pharmacy practice and health care
agendas, a Society that works hard to provide the tools and guidance needed
by members to deliver the highest level of patient care, and a Society
that advances and supports the professional practice of pharmacists in
community, primary care, industrial and hospital sectors.
We need a collective and cohesive voice, offering true leadership and
lobbying Government. This will mean that patients get the best deal, too.
So when we are considering the best option to modernise, think about what
is being achieved across the Atlantic. We could do a lot worse than follow
the example that appears to be achieving great things for pharmacists
in the US. This way will probably mean giving up the regulatory role to
a different body. Membership of the Society could then be voluntary and
this would test the true mettle of our professional leaders.
If we wish to have a profession of pharmacy in the future we need radical
changes, and we have some tough times ahead, but at least we have choices.
I would encourage all pharmacists to have their say and contact the modernisation
programme project manager.
Let us take this exciting opportunity to improve the profession and assure
our own future.
Graeme Hall
Assistant Chief Pharmacist, Leicester Royal Infirmary
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