What defines a pharmacist? RPS launches consultation on the role

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) is inviting responses to a draft policy statement on the role of the pharmacist.

Developed by the RPS’s Education Expert Advisory Group, the statement aims to define the “core attributes and abilities” that are unique to the pharmacy profession. The RPS is seeking feedback on the statement from RPS members, non-members, other organisations and members of the public. The society wants to know if the statement clearly defines the role to other healthcare professionals and the public, and if it covers all the essential qualities of the pharmacist across all sectors.

Writing for The Pharmaceutical Journal, Christopher John, workforce development lead at the RPS, said the role statement will help crystallise the unique contribution that the pharmaceutical profession makes to society. “If the role is too narrowly defined, we risk impoverishment. Too wide a definition and we risk meaninglessness,” he wrote. “By defining the fundamental qualities of the pharmacist we create an anchor point for the profession.”

“Without clarity on the pharmacist’s role, we cannot know how best we should select, educate and train pharmacists or plan for the future pharmacy workforce.”

Responses to the consultation will be collated into a report which will be published on the RPS website. Ultimately, the responses will be fed back to the national pharmacy boards for consideration as society policy.

The consultation document — which includes the full statement on the role of the pharmacist — can be accessed on the RPS website. The consultation closes on 5 March 2018.