The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 271 No 7256 p29
5 July 2003

Society summary

Consultation document seeks further views on changing the Society's Charter

The Council of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society is seeking further views from members on a new Royal Charter for the Society. Following an initial consultation (PDF 165K) three months ago (PJ, 22 March, p415), a further consultation paper appears in the form of an eight-page pull-out section (PDF 160K) in this week's Pharmaceutical Journal. The paper begins by answering an number of questions posed during the preliminary consultation. As with the earlier consultation, it then goes on to provide the full text of both the current Charter and a draft new Charter, and provides a table comparing the two.

The preliminary consultation was intended to inform discussion at national meetings (such as the Society's annual general meeting and branch representatives' meeting and, in the event, a special general meeting), at regional roadshows and at local branch meetings. The new consultation is seeking members' views in the light of that discussion. Members may respond by completing a feedback form distributed with this issue of The Journal or by letter or e-mail to the Society's Modernisation project Manager, Christine Gray. The deadline for responses is 5 September.

The Society says that all views will be considered carefully by the Council. In particular, it wants views on whether the draft Charter would prevent the Society from doing anything it currently does or should do, whether it might detract from the Society's aims and whether having a Charter is important to the Society.

The consultation document begins by stating that the Council's decision to seek a new Royal Charter is an important milestone in the Society's history. It says that, as health care professional regulation, leadership and development change fundamentally, the Charter is a rock on which to build the future and will help to shape the Society's work for the next generation.

Answering frequently asked questions, the paper begins by explaining why the Society needs a Charter. It says that a charter has advantages over other ways of incorporating the Society. It emphasises that the Society is more than just a regulator, it provides flexibility and it gives public recognition to the fact that the Society has the integrity and status to lead and safeguard the future of the profession in the public interest.

In response to the question "What's wrong with the existing Charter?" the paper says that it has become out of date in a number of respects and it needs to be compatible with the changes that the Government wishes to make to the regulatory side of the Society's work. That does not, however, mean that the Government is dictating the agenda. While a new Charter will help compliance with the changes expected by the Government, it will also set out a distinct role for the Society as leader of the profession and guardian of the profession for the public benefit.

Answering the question "What's the difference between an Object and a Power?", the paper says that a charter's objects are a succinct statement of overall purpose and its powers are the functions by which the objects can be achieved. Constraints on powers and objects include the need to act in the public interest, since charters are only granted to bodies that do this.

On the differences between the new Charter and the current one, the paper refers to the table of differences but also draws attention to four key differences (see Panel).

Answering a question about how the draft Charter would affect individual pharmacists, the paper says that it would have little effect at that level but on a broader level would help create a body for pharmacy that will enhance and develop the profession in the public interest. "It should help create a powerful and persuasive voice for the profession, ensure the highest professional standards, and look to the longer-term health of the profession."