The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 269 No 7228 p866
14 December 2002

Society summary

New future for Society's publications operation

The Council of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society has decided that the Society's publishing activities should be managed through a separate, wholly-owned company. But it has reaffirmed that it would not wish to divest itself of any of its publications activity.

At its December meeting, the Council discussed a number of options for the future of the Society's publications operation, having decided that the current arrangements within the Society's directorate structure are not ideal for developing the publications operation as a business. New ways of managing the operation were needed for the benefit of the Society. The aim is to enable the publications operation to deliver high growth while fulfilling its important role in promoting scientific learning.

A particular point that was highlighted was the relationship between the Society and The Pharmaceutical Journal. The Council recognised that there was a need to safeguard The Journal's role, including as a two-way channel of communications between the Council and the membership.

The Council gave its Publications and Journals Development Group the task of developing detailed proposals for the future development of the structure and operational management of the new arrangement, which will be brought back to the Council.

The President, Marshall Davies, said: "Our publications operation is first-rate in every sense. It supports our commitment to the promotion of scientific learning; it helps us communicate with all pharmacists on our register; and it provides a substantial contribution to the Society's income. We want to provide the best environment to build on that success and are looking forward to considering detailed proposals in due course."