The Royal Pharmaceutical Society offers a postgraduate diploma in agricultural and veterinary pharmacy. The course is designed to be undertaken while in employment. Successful candidates may use the designatory letters DAgVetPharm.
The course offers four short residential modules, each lasting two-and-a-half to three-and-a-half days. Normally two modules are held consecutively during a week in April and two during a week in September. Courses may be taken independently without any commitment to complete all the diploma requirements. A certificate of attendance is provided for each course.
To obtain the diploma, candidates must complete the foundation residential module and two of the others modules, which cover companion animals, animal health and husbandry, and crop protection. Other required elements of the course are a written project, private study, 25 days' approved practical experience, and success in written and oral examinations (held in London).
Bookings are now being taken for an animal health and husbandry module in April. It is to be held at the Harper Adams university college in Shropshire from Sunday evening, April 2, to Thursday, April 6. For pharmacists on the British register, the cost is £295, which includes four nights' accommodation and full board. The next companion animal health care module is scheduled for the first part of the week beginning September 24. The week will conclude with the foundation module.
Application forms and copies of the syllabus and regulations are available from Ms Liz Griffiths, Royal Pharmaceutical Society, 1 Lambeth High Street, London SE1 7JN (tel 020 7735 9141 ext 409; fax 020 7735 5086; e-mail LGriffiths@rpsgb.org.uk).