The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 268 No 7203 p886
22 June 2002

Marshall Davies's policy statement

It has been my privilege and pleasure to serve as your President and to lead the profession for the past year. Rarely, if ever, has there been a year when external forces have so clearly signalled that the existing role and remit, structure and organisation of both the Society and the profession will have to be reviewed. In addition these activities will have to be updated to meet the contemporary and future requirements of a modern health regulator. Failure to do so may threaten the very future of the Society, and perhaps even the standing of the profession as well.

In the past year it has also been pleasing to record that the profile of the profession and the contribution pharmacists make to society at large, received greater recognition among patients and other stakeholders nationally, than ever before.

The modernisation of the profession to meet future needs is at an early stage. I seek your support to serve as your President for a further year to progress and develop the initiative we have embarked upon. In doing so I will lead the Council in its collective responsibility for facilitating a sustainable and professionally rewarding role for pharmacists in whatever sphere of activity they choose to operate.

Hence in accordance with the governance requirements, I formally nominate myself for the position of President of the Society for the coming year.

By July of this year the NHS Reform and Health Professions Bill will be on the statute book. For the first time our Society, as a health regulator, will be accountable to Parliament. Our activities will be scrutinised by the Council for the Regulation of Health Professionals, which will be required to report annually to Parliament. All health regulators are expected to act explicitly in the public interest. This is the backdrop to our policy development this year, and modernisation of the Society's regulatory and professional activities is the key priority for the year ahead.

The Bill currently passing through Parliament recognises the unique nature of our Society. We are the only health regulator that has the dual role of regulatory and professional functions. The recent policy decision to retain both regulatory and professional functions provides flexibility, but will also require us to ensure that there is no conflict of interest between the decisions taken to develop the profession, and the function of a health regulator acting in the public interest. The agenda has to be open and transparent. Hence the non-regulatory functions will also be reviewed.

• The priorities include:
• The Modernisation Group will consider all the issues to be addressed, and where appropriate consult with members and other interested stakeholders. The Council will be informed routinely, and will consider the group's recommendations. There is a large agenda and decisions must be made swiftly, to meet the agreed timetable.
• A Section 60 Draft Order will be prepared for submission to Parliament, setting out the Society's proposals for its remit, structure and ways of working. This to be discussed with the Department of Health.
• The boundary between professional and regulatory functions is shifting and weakening. In the future many functions hitherto considered professional will be an integral part of the regulatory function. This will necessitate consideration of such issues as education, setting of professional standards, promoting good practice, training, continuing professional development and providing support for self-improvement of pharmacists from a regulatory perspective.
• Devolution will be considered by the Modernisation Group, taking into account that health regulation is a reserve power of the Westminster Parliament. The Modernisation Group must ensure national standards for the safety and quality of pharmacy activities and the competence of pharmacists. This is imperative not only to maintain the confidence of the public but also to satisfy the requirements of the prospective overarching Council for the Regulation of Health Professions.
• In addition to the modernisation of the regulatory remit, the Council will be asked to consider modernisation of professional practice. The number and range of issues are significant. These include prescribing by pharmacists, medication review, the registration of technicians and their future role, supervision of support staff and also of the sale and supply of medicines .

These activities I have identified are by no means a complete summary of issues to be considered. The reorganisation of the NHS and all the initiatives which emerge need attention and response. The Society's structure has to be fit for purpose, and it is a remarkably diverse organisation for its size.

The range of subjects to be addressed is vast, and communication with members, pharmacy groups and also patients, their representatives and other stakeholders is essential. We must educate, inform, consult with and work with these groups. This I intend to achieve.

One function the Society does not have, and cannot fulfil, is the trade union type representational role for all pharmacists. No such representative body exists. I believe the Society must consider whether it could promote the creation of such a body.

We have a golden opportunity to shape events to provide not only a healthier future for patients, but also a sustainable and rewarding profession for pharmacists.

Failure to act swiftly and boldly is likely to weaken or even undermine our future. I seek your support to lead the profession for our mutual benefit.