The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 270 No 7241 p400-401
22 March 2003

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Letters to the Editor

CPD

I will carry my title to the grave

From Mr W. B. Rhodes, FRPharmS

I am saddened by the letter from Julien Harrison (PJ, 15 March, p368) in which he writes that anyone no longer practising should be removed from the Register. If this were the case the important letter from 12 past presidents would not have appeared in The Journal (15 February, p231), nor would other contributions from those no longer at the bench, and the current debate and the profession, would be less well informed. History always has a lot to teach us and now as much as ever we need the contributions of those with experience.

I am indebted to, and proud of, the profession which served me well for over 50 years and I intend to carry my title, without a desire to practise, to the grave. Other professions allow it and so must we. Martyrdom holds a certain amount of attraction when one has nothing else to do.

Bruce Rhodes
Winchcombe, Gloucestershire

Pharmacists should take an optimistic approach

From Miss K. Khan

I am writing to express my concern regarding attitudes towards continuing professional development, by both pharmacists and future pharmacists.

I was disappointed after having read letters from pharmacists considering mandatory CPD an insult to their intelligence. As a student and future pharmacist, I strongly support CPD and view it as a necessity, not only to develop competence and efficiency but also to restore public belief in the health service.

As well as this, the fact that we are part of a rapidly evolving industry, with respect to both medical services and pharmaceuticals, it is of the utmost importance that we keep ourselves educated, and that this be stated as a requirement for all health care professionals.

CPD should be looked upon with enthusiasm and as an opportunity both to enhance personal development and to improve clinical knowledge, in order to provide the best health care service possible — hand in hand with the spirit of clinical governance.

I would therefore urge all pharmacists who frown upon CPD to attempt to take an optimistic approach and use it to its fullest potential to maximise benefits to both themselves and those they serve.

Kausar Khan
Third Year Pharmacy Student,
Manchester University

Is CE alone an option?

From Mr S. A. Wheatley, MRPharmS

In a letter dated 14 February, addressed to "stakeholder organisations", Dr Robert Dewdney, head of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's education division, wrote concerning mandatory professional development for pharmacists. His letter enclosed a consultation document which contained the following question: "Do you agree that retired pharmacists or those no longer working in the profession but who choose to be on the 'active' register would have to meet a CE [continuing education] requirement while those who are working in the profession would have to meet a CPD [continuing professional development] requirement?"

That question introduces a means by which retired pharmacists and those no longer working in the profession could be on the "active" register. But that option was not included in the CPD survey questionnaire that was distributed to all members with The Pharmaceutical Journal of 15 February.

If members had been given the opportunity to consider that option, their responses to the other survey questions might well have been different.

Stan Wheatley
Blandford Forum,
Dorset

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