The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 269 No 7223 p694
9 November 2002

Society summary

Large turnout for first meeting of revived Norfolk and Norwich branch

More than 60 members attended the first meeting of the revived Norfolk and Norwich branch of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society on 17 October. At the meeting they heard Ann Lewis, the Society's Secretary and Registrar, address the subject of "Reforming the Society — regulation, representation and leadership".

Miss Lewis said reform had become inevitable following a number of failures by health care professionals and the subsequent loss of public confidence. She emphasised that pharmacy practice has to fit the "NHS Framework for Quality" as well as the need for continuous improvement in competence to practice. She told the meeting that this could only be achieved through modernisation of the profession and a redefinition of regulation. Miss Lewis went on to outline how the Society will go forward as an integrated professional and regulatory body within a reformed organisation able to meet modern requirements and firmly based on public interest.

Pharmacists from the community, hospital and primary care sectors, as well as 18 hospital-based preregistration trainees were welcomed by the chairman, David Coleman, who opened the meeting by outlining the ethos of the revived branch.