The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 268 No 7200 p781-786
1 June 2002

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Branch Representatives' meeting summary

Inspectorate needs friendlier face

Two motions seeking to put a friendlier face on the Society' inspectorate met the approval of branch representatives.

The meeting asked the Society to encourage involvement by inspectors in branch activities. It also sought more publicity for the inspectors' supporting role as opposed to their enforcement role.

CHRISTINE TOMLINSON (Bolton), moving "that the Society require its inspectors to be actively involved in the activities of a branch local to their place of residence", said that a change of emphasis in the inspector's role to being more supportive and informative during pharmacy visits had improved communication between pharmacists and inspectors but had not improved the rapport between the membership and the Society.

The branch was only requesting that the inspectors be encouraged to attend the occasional branch meeting. The improved communication arising from informal contact at such occasions would benefit all.

KEITH WILLIAMS (Bolton), seconding the motion, said that inspectors could become involved with branch matters without compromising their professional obligations.

MICHAEL BURDEN (Leicestershire and Rutland) proposed an amendment to change "require" to "encourage".

The amendment was carried by 66 to 37, and the amended motion was carried.

Proposing the second motion on the inspectorate, Dr TONY PUGH (Brighton and Hove) moved that the inspectorate "should publicise its supporting role as well as a regulatory one in order to maintain and improve the standards of pharmacy". His branch felt that an inspectors' advice would be useful in the development of the new systems proposed within the National Health Service.