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Letters to the Editor
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Fellowships
Why community pharmacists are in short supply as fellows
From Mr J. P. Bannerman, FRPharmS
I wholeheartedly applaud and support the letter from Monty
Goldin (PJ,
20/27 December 2003, p841). The letter is one of congratulations to those
who have been designated fellows, while putting forward the challenging
question, “are there no community pharmacists worthy of such an
honour?”.
Bearing in mind the numbers of our colleagues involved in delivering
high-quality, innovative patient care, along with those who have moved
forward the boundaries of the profession’s role in the community
setting, there can be but one positive response. With the preponderance
of our members engaged in the community, and the quality of the work
done there, I believe that it is almost an embarrassment to the profession
that we have not been able to include in the recent announcement any
community pharmacist who has “attained the distinction in the science,
practice, profession or history of pharmacy”.
However, it has to be stated
that the Royal Pharmaceutical Society is entirely dependent on fellows
and members putting forward the names of suitable candidates for fellowship.
This is a challenge for us all in that the overall number of fellows
is diminishing at a time when the standard of pharmacy practice has never
been higher.
I know that I am speaking for my colleagues on the Panel of Fellows when
I say that while we must all maintain the standards of distinction pertaining
to fellowship, it is encouraging that the Council has reduced the qualifying
time to 12 years. In addition, the Council has announced that it intends
to introduce next year, a second route to fellowship based on self-nomination.
I hope that this, along with Mr Goldin’s letter will encourage
many more recommendations for designation by the membership.
Jim Bannerman
Glasgow |
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