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The profession
Do we know our worth?
From Mr J. S. Khela, MRPharmS
It may be dismaying to readers to find that, according to creditreporting.co.uk,
a national reference source, pharmacists are classified in the social
class band C1. This group has been described as workers of a supervisory
or clerical nature.1 Yet all other professionals fall into the top end
categories, A and B.
Of course, one can be confident with the changes to follow in our area
of expertise, certainly from a public perspective, our professional credibility
will be strengthened. But such credibility should begin in the eyes of
the beholder.
It may be open to debate why so many members are up in arms at the recent
rise in retention fees. Indeed many have questioned why we now have stringent
continuing professional development requirements. It may be argued that
a lot of pharmacists (certainly in community pharmacy) may have conditioned
themselves to being robotic administrative junkies or professionals without
a course.
I am also concerned that I feel like the youngest pharmacist attending
my local Society branch meetings, CPD workshops, and local pharmaceutical
committee meetings (yet I have been on the Register for seven years).
Does pharmacy truly have a future when graduates, who are not even married
or have children, claim that they have no time to attend any networking
functions? I would hate to imagine their level of commitment when they
arrive at this juncture.
I am also concerned about the negative reinforcement (and lack of positive
reinforcement) that is being carried over to young, impressionable pharmacists
who have the potential to be motivated and to exploit their IT aptitude
in line with the new contract. Are senior members threatened by the fresher,
accessible image of the younger pharmacist or are some showing resentment
towards the Society’s professional adaptation because such possibilities
were never introduced in the peak of their working careers?
Regarding the new contract, the future is clear but I believe our direction
and journey time depends on our self-belief. I would urge all members
to review their thoughts by answering the following: “What kind
of role model can you truly be for our future?”
Jagjiwan Singh Khela
Eastleigh, Hampshire
Reference
1. Kayne SB. Pharmacy Business Management. London: Pharmaceutical Press;
1995. pp250–1. |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal