The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain pledged to continue to build a professional leadership body fit for the 21st century after members voted to accept the changes to the Societys Royal Charter in the Special Resolution Ballot.

The ballot was the highest turnout achieved in recent years, with 10,698 votes cast in total, equating to a 22.3% voter turnout. Of those voting, 77.7% of members agreed to accept the Charter changes.

President Steve Churton said “Im delighted that members have shown overwhelming confidence in the new body and made their commitment to the future of the profession. “We now have the strong mandate from members for the changes we need to bring about.

Changes that members have asked for through the Clarke Inquiry, the Transitional Committee and the Charter consultation process. We will be doing this with the continued engagement of a wide range of professional groups within pharmacy and the active involvement of over 200 pioneers who have agreed to help us with the design of the new bodys products and services. “The new body will see greater autonomy for the National Pharmacy Boards, which will be able to influence and respond to devolved healthcare policy more effectively than at present, and ensure close engagement with the needs and aspirations of the membership in England,Scotland and Wales.

“It is anticipated that the Charter changes will be brought into force when the Societys current regulatory functions transfer to the new General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) in 2010. “I urge as many pharmacists as possible to get involved in the process of building our new leadership body and help shape the future of the profession. We have a unique opportunity to create a vibrant and dynamic new organisation that will provide essential support for pharmacists, become a badge of true professionalism and make a lasting difference to the lives of pharmacists and their patients.”

Notes

Number of eligible voters 48,115
Votes cast by post 6,966
Votes cast online 2,573
Votes cast by text 564
Votes cast by telephone 603

Total number of votes cast 10,706
Turnout 22.3%
Number of votes found to be invalid 8
Total number of valid votes to be counted 10,698

Result
Number voting Yes 8,309 (77.7% of the valid vote)
Number voting No 2,389 (22.3% of the valid vote)
Total 10,698 (100% of the valid vote)

All data supplied by Electoral Reform Services

Next steps
The result will be presented to the next Society Council meeting on Wednesday 29th July.
The changes will then be submitted to the Privy Council. The Privy Council determine their own timetable, but it is hoped that approval for the changes will be given by the end of 2009.
The Charter changes will come into being when regulation transfers to General Pharmaceutical Council in April 2010.