Responsible Pharmacist Research Project
About the Research Project
The Professional Forum and the RPS are conducting joint research to evaluate the impact of the Responsible Pharmacist regulations in the UK, eighteen months after their initial introduction (October 2009). The research will involve a survey of pharmacists and technicians in all 4 UK countries.
The findings will help support the Professional Forum and RPS responses to the Department of Health (London) consultation on supervision planned for later this year.
If you are one of the 800 randomly selected pharmacists in Northern Ireland approached to contribute to the survey, we strongly encourage you to take part.
The survey is an opportunity to influence policy change in this area - ensuring future amendments provide assurance that medicines will continue to be supplied safely and effectively and that pharmacist clinical skills are deployed most effectively.
To ensure the views of pharmacy support staff are represented, participating pharmacists are also asked to pass on a survey supplied for support staff at their main place of work.
More information about the Responsible Pharmacist Regulations is available here
Purpose of the Research Project
Describing the purpose of the research project, Martin Astbury, RPS President commented:
"Public confidence in pharmacy is an invaluable asset which is linked to the strength of both the profession and the services we currently offer. As pharmacists take on ever more clinical roles, including advising people to improve their health, and technological advances offer new models of working, it is vital that the interests of patients and the public remain foremost in our minds.
Robust research is required to ensure that future proposals for changes to pharmacy practice, its regulation and the associated support and gudance are developed, based on best evidence."
Anne McAlister, Chair of the Professional Forum of the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland added:
"The recent and planned changes to the law around personal control and supervision respectively will require guidance on best practice, which the professional bodies, the RPS, Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK (APTUK) and PSNI Professional Forum are well placed to offer, signposting existing models and developing the expert guidance for implementation.
An evidence based approach is the best way to support individual practitioners in developing the skills and confidence to take on new responsibilities for the care and health of patients and the public."
Timelines and other details
In June 2011 key stakeholders were engaged from the RPS boards, the Professional Forum of the PSNI, and individuals from across the profession to help develop the research materials. Through this we have ensured the materials address all areas where Responsible Pharmacist regulations have impact.
TNS-BMRB, a leading social research agency for UK and international policy makers, successfully tendered to undertake the research and will be contacting pharmacists and pharmacy support staff, through a variety of methods, to explore their views and experiences in relation to the Responsible Pharmacist Regulations. This includes the issue of a survey to 800 randomly selected pharmacists in Northern Ireland (see above).
The Professional Forum and RPS have identified clear outcomes from this research:
- A robust evidence base which describes the impact of the Responsible Pharmacist Regulations that can inform future changes, if required.
- Influence and, if necessary, improve practice within the framework of the policy intention.
- To show professional leadership on this agenda, for all pharmacists, the public and all other stakeholders.
The deadline for research outputs is September 2011 with public documentation to be delivered in October.