Consultation on a framework for pharmacy practice is now open
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society's proposed practice framework, which will describe the components of good pharmacy practice, is now open
for consultation.
The document is entitled “Pharmacy practice framework: roles, functions,
activities and indicators of good practice”. Its purpose is to
define the role of the pharmacist and pharmacy team, and therefore what
skills and behaviour are essential to their role and what training they
require.
The framework sets out seven principal roles (see Panel below), for
each of which there is a descriptive paragraph. Each role is divided
into a number
of more specific functions — up to seven, but typically three.
For each
function, the document lists up to five activities, each in turn accompanied
by up to nine indicators of good practice.
Pharmacy practice framework: the
seven principal roles
Role 1
Contribute to the effectiveness of health care and public health
Role 2
Implement, monitor and modify therapeutic approaches
Role 3
Dispense medicines
Role 4
Produce, obtain, store and distribute products
Role 5
Contribute to the safe and effective operation of the pharmacy or other
work place
Role 6
Professional and therapeutic decision making
Role 7
Maintaining and improving professional performance
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For example, for Role 1, “Contribute to the effectiveness of health
care and public health”, the descriptive paragraph reads: “As
members of the health care community, pharmacists contribute to the health
care team by identifying ways to improve overall health outcomes. Pharmacists
do this by ensuring the safe, rational and cost effective use of medicines
and promoting health and well-being in the community; improving working
relationships; investigating emerging therapies; and sharing new information
to benefit their patients.”
The first of seven functions covered by
this role, Function A, is: “Comply with professional obligations
and guidelines.”
Only one activity is listed under Function A: “Be aware of the
requirements of the Code of Ethics and follow the principles it lays
down.”
The indicators of good practice listed for this activity are: “Apply
the principles of the Code of Ethics to your daily work”; “Comply
with NHS contractual obligations/NHS public health policies”; “Act
in the interests of patients and the public”; “Fully consider
available options when faced with conflicting professional obligations
or legal requirements and evaluate the risks and benefits associated
with each course of action”; and “Be prepared to justify
your actions if asked to do so”.
The document explains that where appropriate the term “patient(s)”,
which is used throughout, encompasses any individual or group of individuals
who access or are affected by professional pharmacy services or advice,
and that where veterinary pharmacy services are offered, the term “patient” also
extends to the animals for which services are provided.
Graham Phillips, chairman of the Society’s Education Committee,
said: “The Society has drafted a preliminary practice framework,
and earlier this year gathered input from key representatives from the
Society’s special interest groups to help develop our thinking.
Now it is over to the wider membership and external stakeholders to ‘destruction
test’ the draft that we have produced. The practice framework defines
pharmacists’ practice and will be a crucial element in determining
pharmacists’ education. This is another key plank in the Pharmacy
2020 debate, and I encourage members to provide their input through this
online consultation.”
The consultation can be accessed on
the Society’s
website.
Those without access to the internet can obtain copies of the draft framework
from John Sloan, Education Projects Policy Manager,
Education and Registration, Royal Pharmaceutical Society, 1 Lambeth High
Street, London SE1 7JN (tel 020 7572 2276;
e-mail john.sloan@rpsgb.org).
The deadline for responses is 30 October 2007. |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal