MPC proposals for reform of pharmacist education and
training
Modernising Pharmacy Careers
(MPC) submitted proposals for reform of
pharmacist pre-registration education and training as
independent advice to the Secretary of State for Health in
June 2011.
Medical Education England (MEE) endorsed submission of the
proposals subject to their implementation being funded in a way
that is sustainable, but also at least cost neutral overall across
government. In his response to MPC, the Secretary of State
acknowledged the key role pharmacists play in improving patient
care, securing value for from NHS investment in medecines, and
delivering the public health strategy, and therefore, the
importance of pharmacists' basic education and training.
The relevant recommendations are now being considered by the
Department of Health (DH), Department of Business Innovation and
Skills (BIS) and the Higher Education Funding Council for England
(HEFCE). There is still much work to be done with stakeholders to
determine how the proposals for reform might be implemented.
The MPC Programme Board will continue to provide ongoing advice to
the Secretary of State as the work progresses and, where
appropriate, policy changes would be subject to public
consultation.
Professor Anthony Smith, Chair of the Council of University
Heads of Pharmacy Schools (CUHOP) and Mr Rob Darracott, Chief
Executive of the Company Chemists Association (CCA), were
commissioned by the MPC Programme Board in 2009 to review current
arrangements for pharmacist education and training and develop
options for change. Supported by a Review Team, they informed their
thinking through evidence gathering, input from pharmacy
organisations, and by commissioning a report from
Dr David Guile of The Institute of Education, University of London
and an MPC Pharmacist Prescriber Training Working Group
report.
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The key proposals include formal partnerships between
universities and employers and the delivery of a five-year
integrated MPharm, with greater clinical practice experience for
students, with the ultimate aim of delivering better care to
patients and the public. The expectation is that the changes would
allow patients, the public and the government to benefit more
completely from the unique contribution that pharmacists, as
medicines experts, can make to healthcare and safety.
A discussion paper, outlining the proposals was made
available for comment through the MEE website earlier this
year. Professor Smith and Mr Darracott also met with organisations
involved in the delivery of pharmacist undergraduate education
and training to discuss the proposals, and used feedback from these
meetings to further refine the proposals before submission to MEE
and the Secretary of State.
If you have any questions or comments on the MPC proposals for
reform please email MPCProgramme@dh.gsi.gov.uk