The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 271 No 7275 p691
15 November 2003

Society summary

Society's Scottish Executive welcomes draft Charter changes

The Scottish Executive of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society has welcomed the changes introduced to the revised draft Royal Charter in its submission to the latest stage of consultation and, in particular, the recognition given by the Council to devolution. However, in its response the Executive raises four main points for consideration:

• That the powers in point 16 of the current Royal Charter, that there shall be a Scottish Department of the Society in Scotland constituted and governed in such a manner and with such functions in Scotland as may be determined by byelaws, be reinstated

• That 6(1) of the revised Royal Charter should state: shall by regulation and in agreement with the elected representatives of the members resident in Scotland and Wales, establish appropriate structures to reflect devolved powers and responsibilities for health, professional leadership and development, and other relevant matters, in these countries

• That the Scottish Executive initially approves any sale or purchase of property in Scotland and that any special general meeting relating to such a sale be held in Scotland

• That the elected representatives in Scotland be fully engaged in the next stages regarding the future byelaws and regulations in order to ensure that the requirements of the devolved administration and NHS Scotland can be fully met. The Executive believes this would be best achieved by membership of Council being extended to the chairman of the Scottish Executive

Speaking on the consultation David Thomson, chairman of the Scottish Executive, said: “We welcome the attempts to accommodate proposals from previous submissions and are pleased to contribute to this latest element of the consultative process. The Executive has fully considered how the strengths inherent in the old Charter and improvement in the revised draft Charter can be enhanced to reflect the aspirations of all pharmacists in our profession.