The Chief Pharmaceutical Officers from England, Scotland and Wales came together today to reveal plans for historic changes to the regulation of the pharmacy profession.
The measures, which form part of the Government White Paper on professional regulation, will see the formation of two separate bodies to oversee pharmacy. One organisation would act as a regulator and a second would be responsible for leading the profession.
It is envisaged that the two new bodies will take the form of a General Pharmaceutical Council (GPC) to regulate the profession and a Royal College to provide leadership.
Chief Pharmaceutical Officer for England, Dr Keith Ridge said "I truly believe this is a good deal for pharmacy. Pharmacy is changing and so professional leadership is vital. We envisage a GPC that takes regulation forward and a Royal College which is sustainable, underpins the science and practice of pharmacy, and commands the respect the profession deserves.
"This is about ambition, consolidation, and leadership. It will put pharmacy into the position it has earned and deserves. If we do not seize this opportunity, we will, in my view, have failed pharmacy and our profession at a vital time - consigning it to a wilderness isolated from other healthcare professions."
Chief Pharmaceutical Advisor for Wales, Carwen Wynne Howells said: "Pharmacy is a rapidly changing profession and, as greater responsibilities are placed on it, the public needs to be assured of excellence in its governance arrangements.
"Whilst the creation of a GPC will move the regulation of the profession forward, the establishment of a Royal College will promote excellence in clinical practice, innovation and leadership within the profession. A historic moment, certainly, but one which presents the profession with huge opportunities."
Chief Pharmaceutical Officer for Scotland, Professor Bill Scott said "The evolution of pharmacists from a product and technical based focus to one of clinical practitioner continues to gather pace. The most recent independent prescribing powers are a prime example of how the Government is ensuring pharmacists and pharmacy practice will be fit for the 21st century. It is therefore essential that the underpinning regulatory functions and professional leadership are also fit for the 21st century."
The Chief Pharmaceutical Officer for Northern Ireland, Dr Norman Morrow, who unfortunately could not be at the event, said:
"Good governance at both regulatory and professional development levels is at the heart of these proposals, and I believe they offer the profession considerable opportunity for advancement, given the importance of the pharmaceutical contribution to the provision of health care. The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (NI) and the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland are positively engaged in consideration of the future arrangements which will pertain in Northen Ireland."
This announcement comes as the safe and effective prescribing and dispensing of medicines becomes more complex and greater clinical responsibilities are placed upon the pharmacy profession. It is in accord with the Government commitment to ensure that healthcare professionals will be independently regulated.