Losses and gains
Working pharmacy holidays for 20-somethings will become a thing of the past by this time next year — at least for graduates from Australia and New Zealand who have, it may be argued, enjoyed privileged access to the UK pharmacy job market for decades. This follows the decision by the Council of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society in late 2003 to end the reciprocal arrangements from the British end of things, anyway. The decision is designed to make the playing field flat for all would-be working visitors to the UK, irrespective of where they trained in the world (with the exception of those from other EU member countries, who will have access as of right).
Organisations who have employed these pharmacists in the past may be concerned that there will be a shortfall in the years to come — London hospitals seem to rely heavily on them (p10). However, realistically, this concern may be exaggerated: the current reciprocal arrangements will continue for a year which means that antipodean pharmacists who come here under the current arrangements will remain part of the UK workforce for up to three years from now (since most of them work in the UK for two years). Over this period the new schools of pharmacy will be producing more graduates and other pharmacists may start to arrive from countries that joined the EU in 2004. The situation may not be as dire as the doom-mongers predict although there may be some loss from the ending of the exchanges of ideas and ways of working.
Celebration of pharmaceutical excellence
Last Friday, The Journal celebrated the 13th year of the Pharmaceutical Care Awards with a mini-conference at the Society’s headquarters in Lambeth followed by dinner at The Savoy (p14).
This event, generously sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline, always manages to hit an informal note. This is partly because of the infectious enthusiasm of the guests. Three runners-up and three winners present their work in the afternoon and, although some projects are on a grander scale than others, the finalists always appreciate the chance to describe their achievements to their peers, as well as to the many leaders of the profession who accept our invitation to attend.
The profession will only ever move forward through the efforts of pharmacists who develop new ways of working. By entering the awards they have a chance to communicate their enthusiasms to others.
We salute all this year’s entrants, as well as those who have seen their work from previous years spreading round Britain, and encourage others to think now about joining the fun for next year.
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