“There is no consistent approach to quality assurance of post-reg education and training” for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, chair Nigel Clarke wrote in a statement today (January 28).

Mr Clarke co-chaired a meeting with Dr Jim Livingstone, council president of the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland (PSNI) yesterday (January 27), to seek the views from across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland on the “function of the group, how it will approach its work and the principles that will underpin” this, the GPhC said.

Meanwhile, outgoing chief pharmaceutical officer for England Keith Ridge set out the rationale for the group’s work during the meeting, outlining that it will help assure post-registration practice to maintain patient safety and public confidence.

At the new group’s first meeting, the GPhC and PSNI will set out the terms of reference for the group, the group structure and membership, and dates for future meetings, the regulator added.

“Better support beyond registration”

The regulators “will also involve patients and the public in the next stages of work to help identify key areas of concern and assurance from their perspective”, Mr Clarke said.

In a joint statement published today by Dr Ridge, Cathy Harrison, Professor Alison Strath and Andrew Evans – who are the chief pharmaceutical officers for Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales respectively –  they added that pharmacy practitioners “require better support to develop beyond registration to higher levels of practice”.

They said: “Consistent standards for professional development pathways will support advancement through key career stages, minimising the risk of patient harm and improving outcomes.”

Dr Ridge will be replaced as England's chief pharmaceutical officer next month by David Webb, who is currently the chief pharmacist at Guy's and St Thomas's NHS Foundation Trust, it was announced on January 7.