The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 270 No 7248 p664
10 May 2003

Society summary

Local awareness and networking are key to innovation, says Society

Local awareness and networking are key to innovation in community pharmacy, according to an interim report published by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

The report, "Understanding innovation in community pharmacy", is part of the practice research strategy on workforce, which was approved by the Society's Council in 2001 to help understand the pharmacy workforce in greater detail. That research was undertaken by Professor Jenny Tann of the University of Birmingham and Professor Alison Blenkinsopp of Keele University.

The research indicated that successful pharmacist innovators are characterised by a high awareness of developments in the health service and of local health need as well as possessing high levels of proactivity and confidence and a willingness to make full use of the pharmacy team. The research also identifies the important role that networks play both in developing innovators and supporting the spread of innovation.

Professor Blenkinsopp said: "This research set out to study innovators, innovations and the process of innovation in community pharmacy. Our findings provide insight into how innovation is introduced, rolled out and sustained in community pharmacy. The findings can be used by the profession to consider future policy development."

Copies of the report, price £15, are available from Jackie Moon in the Society's practice research division (tel 020 7572 2278; e-mail practiceresearch@rpsgb.org.uk).