DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, SOCIAL

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, SOCIAL

SERVICES AND PUBLIC SAFETY

APPOINTMENTS

CENTRAL PHARMACEUTICAL

ADVISORY COMMITTEE

CENTRAL PHARMACEUTICAL ADVSIORY COMMITTEE (CPAC)

BACKGROUND

The Central Pharmaceutical Advisory Committee is a statutory Advisory Committee established under Article 24 (1) of the Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1972. Its function is to advise the Department on pharmaceutical and related matters. The remit of the Committee includes:-

Advice on the development and implementation of policy in respect of pharmaceutical services;

Advice on the future shape and operation of pharmaceutical services;

Advice on Charter Standards within the HPSS;

To bring to the Department's attention evaluated evidence of pharmaceutical benefit to patient care;

Advice on the application and utilisation of pharmaceutical skills and services to secure the objectives articulated in Departmental strategic and management plans;

To identify to the Department audit and practice research needs in the Pharmaceutical discipline;

to identify to the Department workforce planning and training needs in the pharmaceutical discipline;

To provide strategic direction on approaches to effective medicines management;

To provide a forum for interdisciplinary collaboration at advisory level;

Advice on the creation, application, enforcement and implication of legislation pertinent to pharmacy;

Advice on the application of information technology to pharmaceutical services within the context of a health service IT strategy;

To monitor it's own performance relative to offering advice and actions resulting from that advice.

MEMBERSHIP

The Chairman and members of the Committee are appointed by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety. The Committee consists of 15 members inclusive of the Chairman.

The 4 members of the Area Pharmaceutical Advisory Committees are ex-officio members of CPAC.

The Chairman is appointed by the Department for a 3-year term. He/she may be reappointed for one further term.

Members are selected after consultation with the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland, School of Pharmacy, Queen's University Belfast, Guild of Healthcare Pharmacists, Pharmaceutical Contractors' Committee and Directors of Pharmaceutical Services of Boards.

A member's register of attendance at meetings will be maintained and reported to nominated bodies annually.

CENTRAL PHARMACEUTICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

COMMITTEE MEMBER

ROLE OF MEMBER

It is the member's role to:-

Share in corporate responsibility for the provision of informed advice to the Department and the Chief Pharmaceutical Officer, as appropriate;

Assist with the development of mechanisms and priorities to secure this advice;

Provide an independent view, as distinct from acting in a representative capacity, recognising that appointments are made in a personal capacity;

Offer advice within his/her given area of experience and expertise in relation to reports and other documents presented to members from time to time for consultation.

MEETINGS

The Committee will meet 3 times a year. Meetings are a half-day duration. Each member must be willing to devote the necessary time, approximately 3 days per year. Members may also be invited to serve on sub-committees appointed by the Committee to advise on particular issues.

REMUNERATION

The Chairman and members of the Committee are unpaid, however, travelling and other expenses are payable in respect of expenses on Committee business.

PERIOD OF APPOINTMENT

Following a selection process members are appointed for a 3-year term of office and will be eligible to serve for a maximum of two terms. Reappointments will be subject to a review of the performance of the individual and the needs of the Committee at the time of reappointment.

CENTRAL PHARMACEUTICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE (CPAC)

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Members of the Committee will be committed to the principles and objectives of the HPSS. They will subscribe to the goals and functions of the Committee and abide by its standing orders and procedures.

QUALIFICATIONS

Members must be Pharmacists and have a demonstrated track record in their chosen field of practice.

COMPETENCIES

Members should possess:-

An in-depth knowledge of their specific area of Pharmacy;

A good general knowledge of the wider context of pharmacy locally and nationally.

An ability to think strategically and to analyse complex problems;

An ability to work as part of a team;

Effective communication skills with clear expression of ideas both in writing and orally;

Good inter-personal skills, developing relationships and networks within and without the Committee;

The confidence to question and challenge other members in an objective manner applying their own experience and expertise to the development of an independent view;

Sound personal skills such as time and stress management.

QUALITIES

It will be important for members to possess the following qualities:-

Commitment;

Drive;

Diplomacy;

Enthusiasm;

Flexibility;

Openness;

Sensitivity;

Integrity;

Independence;

Objectivity and

Vision.