The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 280 No 7498 p487
19 April 2008

Society summary

SPB to seek members’ views at series of roadshows

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s Scottish Pharmacy Board is to seek the views of members on issues such as the Clarke Inquiry report at a series of summer roadshows, the board decided at its meeting on 9 April 2008.

The board agreed to take forward the programme following confirmation of dates and locations. It was suggested that the roadshows should also be used as a way to consult members about how they can support branches.

The roadshows are part of the board’s commitment to continue to support members and branches through consultation and the development of communication tools.

Clarke Inquiry The chairman of the board, Rose Marie Parr, reported on the publication of the Clarke Inquiry report into what form the professional body for pharmacy should take after the Society loses its regulatory functions to the General Pharmaceutical Council in 2010 (PJ, 12 April 2008, p432). The board welcomed the report and discussed some of the issues requiring further thought and debate.

The board noted that a forum for further discussion would be provided by the SPB professional leadership seminar, which was to be held on the following day and would be attended by inquiry chairman Nigel Clarke, senior figures from the Society and invited representatives of the profession in Scotland.

The board agreed to adopt a listening mode until the formal submission of the Society’s response at the end of April.

Communications and public affairs The board agreed to support a proposal from its communications working group to link board members to MSPs who are influential in developing health policy. The board also agreed to delegate responsibility for preparing the annual report to the working group.

Scottish Office open day The board agreed the format for an open day at the Society's Scottish headquarters on 27 April for Society members and their families. The morning would include opportunities to study display material, to meet board members, to meet representatives of the branches and to tour the building and the museum. After a buffet lunch, participants would be offered an open-top bus tour of Edinburgh.

Support for branches The board discussed the viability of a support network for the branches and agreed to continue to commit to a programme of support and help for active branches. It also agreed to continue to seek feedback on how branches can be supported through forums like the roadshows.

Board vacancy The board unanimously agreed to co-opt a member to fill the vacancy arising from the shortage of candidates in the recent board election. It was agreed the criteria for co-option would be based on geography, noting that pharmacists in south-east Scotland were currently under-represented on the board. Members would consult with potential nominees informally and then put names forward for co-opting. The process would also be publicised.