Emeritus Award Must Have Tangible Benefits, UK

Main Category: Pharmacy / Pharmacist
Article Date: 20 Feb 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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The Council of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain has been working to establish emeritus awards for its retired members. Responding to concerns raised by the membership, the Council agreed at its February meeting to postpone the creation of these awards until the Society is free from its current regulatory restrictions.

The restrictions prevent Council from awarding supportive and meaningful emeritus status, therefore the decision will see the emeritus award proposals passed to the professional body task force who will be charged with developing the alumni offering as part of the new professional body.

Speaking after the decision, President Hemant Patel said:

"The issue of emeritus membership is one that Council is taking extremely seriously but the regulatory role ties our hands. The Council wants to introduce something of genuine value to members and it is clear that current proposals are wide of the mark in delivering a meaningful and worthwhile award. The Council has listened closely to comments from senior and highly respected members of the profession and agrees that we must think again.

"Council believes the best way to move this forward is by considering the awards as part of the work of the professional body task force. The new professional body will have the freedom to introduce a category of membership - perhaps emeritus or alumni - with real tangible benefits which can provide recognition to retired pharmacists and need not restrict the use of postnominals. My personal vision for the professional body is an organisation that serves its members from cradle to grave, and emeritus awards should form an important part of this."

Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain