The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 279 No 7470 p329
22 September 2007

Society summary

Society to promote the pharmacy profession at party conferences

The efforts of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society should ensure pharmacy's voice is heard at the major Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat conferences taking place this September and October.

The Society’s 2007 conference event programme includes invitation-only dinners and formal meetings attended by those who influence and have an interest in pharmacy, such as front bench members of Parliaments, and members of the Health Select Committee and the All-Party Pharmacy Group.

The Society says that it is an important time for it to promote the needs of the profession against the background of the proposed creation of a new regulatory body and a professional body for pharmacy.

Graham Phillips, member of the Society’s Council and chairman of its Public Affairs Planning Group, said: “2007 is a key year. Following the recent appointment of Gordon Brown as Prime Minister, many health ministers are new to their roles.

“The dinners and meetings will be invaluable in achieving one-to-one contact with these key decision makers, allowing us to learn more about political perspectives and to influence agendas. Knowledge gained from these events can be used intelligently by the Society in lobbying and contributing to future policy. The impact of Government decisions, on regulation in particular, has led to increased costs for the Society.

“We need to ensure that politicians and officials hear about the concerns of our members.”

The Society adds that the political party conferences provide an ideal opportunity for it to:

• Raise the profile of the Society and the pharmacy profession among key political audiences

• Tackle issues raised by members and promote the profession’s agenda

• Build relationships with politicians and policy influencers

• Position the Society as a leading contributor to the health policy debate

• Gain greater knowledge of the political context in which the Society operates

Society representatives will also be promoting a new publication at the party conferences. Entitled “Pharmacy: the new healthcare solution” (PDF 250K), the publication is intended to help raise awareness among delegates about the new services being provided by pharmacy within the NHS.