The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 268 No 7195 p568-572
27 April 2002

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Letters to the Editor

CPP

The CPP is not irrelevant to the practising professional

From Mr I. G. Simpson, FRPharmS

I share J. D. Khan's hope that the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's consultation on its remit and functions will not become a futile, bureaucratic exercise (PJ, 20 April, p537). However, I cannot agree with his assertion that the College of Pharmacy Practice is in need of revolution, or his implication that it is either out of date or irrelevant to the practising professional.

The NHS Modernisation Agency has listed renewal and expansion, and redesign, among the attributes of a modernising organisation.1 The College of Pharmacy Practice is currently going through a period of renewal and expansion. The board of governors has approved a strategic plan for the next five years, and an operational plan for the current year. The latter includes the aim of increasing membership by 9 per cent in 2002. During the first three months of the year, membership has increased by 3 per cent so, at this rate, the target for the year will be exceeded.

The main redesign activity is the establishment of faculties. The Faculty of Prescribing and Medicines Management (FPMM) was set up last year, and this was followed by the launch of the Faculty of Neonatal and Paediatric Pharmacy (FNPP) in March of this year. Discussions are being held with various organisations about the formation of further faculties, and the eventual aim is to have the college composed entirely of faculties. Both our existing faculties have active boards which have organised the first FPPM annual conference on 10 and 11 May, an FNPP study day on 11 June and an FPMM day conference on 21 November.

These events are complementary to the programme of study days planned by the college CPD committee. The programme has proved popular and the college day on risk management and clinical governance on 2 May is already overbooked.

In addition to this, the college has won the contract to accredit all training courses for medicines counter assistants, runs the credit for learning series of articles in association with Hospital Pharmacist, Chemist & Druggist and Pharmacy in Practice. The college also accredits events and materials organised or published by a wide range of providers, and has accredited a total of 72 submissions so far this year.

This activity could not be described as indicative of an organisation which is irrelevant or in need of updating or revolution, but rather as one which is acutely aware of the issues of the day and is responding positively to them.

The experience which we have in the field of accreditation make us an ideal partner to work with the Society, as suggested by Professor Joy Wingfield in her Broad Spectrum article (PJ, 23 March, p396), and I hope that Mr Khan and all our members will support the college in this initiative.

Ian Simpson
Chief Executive
College of Pharmacy Practice

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