Window on pharmacy

Pharmaceutical Journal

This week’s issue of The Journal contains an enhanced centre section of Professional matters — the window on the activities of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and the achievements of members — which offers something for every member.

The part the RPS is playing, alongside the Academy of Royal Medical Colleges and the Royal College of Nursing, in ensuring a venous thromboprophylaxis strategy is in place across the NHS is outlined in the profile of Sharron Millen — the RPS VTE “czar” (p236). There is also a description of a virtual networking portal through which interested pharmacists can chat to “colleagues” about venous thromboembolism prevention (p238).

On Monday (28 February 2011) the RPS is launching a new online resource for the public and the media (iPharmacist.me) which is aimed at making it easier for them to learn about some RPS initiatives (p229). (Readers who are sceptical about RPS efforts to raise the profession’s profile in the media should take a look at www.rpharms.com — there are a couple of minutes of clips from various news programmes that may convince them otherwise.)

There is a rundown of the latest guidance that RPS Support has produced (p240) covering what to do when a patient requests medicines in an emergency — the guidance is published in full on pp241–2. There are also quick reference guides on tranexamic acid, following its launch as a pharmacy medicine, and cough and cold products for children. Professional matters also updates members on the support available for under-taking continuing professional development — the most important service offered by the RPS, according to feedback from members. The CPD services portfolio has recently been reorganised so that members can more easily navigate their way around the material, and it is also better integrated into other RPS services. The diagram on p243 indicates how everything fits together.

There is news from the three home countries, as well as messages from the President and Chief Executive and other items.

Members who have not already decided to renew their membership might like to reflect on what they could be missing if they decide to opt out now.