I would like to respond to two points made in the letters pages of this week's Pharmaceutical Journal (18 July) regarding the ballot on changes to the Society's royal charter, which closes on Monday (extended to Tuesday for postal votes only, due to the planned postal strike).
The Society and its Council are proposing these changes to ensure that the new professional body has a governing structure that is fit for purpose and is truly independent of government. I believe we have explained the rationale for the changes very clearly through the "vote yes" campaign, but this is a democratic process and the Pharmaceutical Journal has given considerable editorial space to other points of view.
A key change proposed for the Charter is the formation of an Assembly comprising elected members of the three national boards (who would account for 11 of the 14 Assembly members). This is strongly supportive of membership representation, whilst avoiding any potential for inefficient parallel working or indeed inconsistent mandates between the Boards and Assembly.
I am grateful to the large number of members of the profession who have openly supported the charter changes - changes which are recognised as a hugely important step forward in enabling the development of a responsive professional leadership body for the 21st century. The latest developments can be seen at www.pharmacyplb.com.
Jeremy Holmes
Chief Executive & Registrar, RPSGB
