IPAG Terms of Reference

For the purpose of this group, industrial pharmacy includes all roles undertaken by pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists within the pharmaceutical or allied industries (e.g. med-tech, FCMG, Consultancy) and those with an active interest in industrial pharmacy. 

It also covers areas of practice/ work where industrial pharmacy expertise and influence is required to support the safe and effective use of medicines.

Overview

The Industrial Pharmacy Advisory Group (IPAG) provides a source of expertise on issues of pharmacy practice which impact on patients, the public, and the profession.

The Group serves as a consultative group to the Boards of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS), acting as a source of expertise and advice, and providing evidenced-based leadership and opinion to inform RPS policy decisions and advice to government and other organisations.

The Industrial Pharmacy Advisory Group will report into the Science and Research Committee (SRC).The SRC is responsible for supporting the RPS Assembly in setting the strategic direction and providing oversight of the delivery and advancement of the RPS strategic imperatives around pharmaceutical science, research and evaluation developing its aims, objectives and goals in accordance with the Regulations of the RPS.

Representatives of SRC will attend the Industrial Pharmacists Advisory Group and likewise a representative of the Industrial Pharmacists Advisory Group will be invited to attend the SRC.

The main aim of the Industrial Pharmacy Advisory Group is to provide leadership in practice, identify and track the changing healthcare environment, advise on the implications for the industrial sector and the RPS and also highlight the changing professional needs and competencies of its members:

  • Advise the RPS on significant issues involving national and international industrial practice
  • Support RPS in responding to requests for advice, expertise, input and comment from government and other organisations
  • Where agreed, represent the RPS by providing expertise and leadership opinion aligned with RPS policy (where relevant). This may include attending meetings or acting as a media spokesperson
  • Provide a cohesive, strategic forum to ensure RPS is able to input and shape key policies and innovation around medicines: discovery, development, regulation, safety and use
  • Help ensure a joined-up approach across RPS and the profession to ensure that members are kept at the forefront of healthcare
  • Facilitate recruitment and retention of pharmacists within the pharmaceutical industry and prompt life-long membership of the RPS
  • Help support industrial pharmacists throughout their careers by ensuring the provision of development opportunities for networking and best practice sharing
  • Help Education Department to influence curriculum and advise on competence development training programmes to ensure graduates and pharmacists have the necessary skills and knowledge for successful careers in industry.

Deliverables / Outcomes

  • Draw on evidence to deliver system wide leadership, supporting the RPS national boards on matters affecting Industrial Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science
  • Provide expertise to help create coherent professional responses to emergent Industrial Pharmacy issues across England, Scotland and Wales
  • Support the ongoing work of the RPS in Industry including the development, implementation and dissemination of the professional standards for Industrial Pharmacy, and associated work streams
  • Support the RPS and the profession with engagement and networking with other relevant organisations impacting on industrial pharmacy including regulators, Royal Colleges, partnership and specialist groups
  • Work with other RPS groups (e.g. country teams and comms) to align activity and support the delivery of outcomes across all sectors of practice
  • Communicate the work of the expert advisory group to internal and external stakeholders
  • Lead and encourage membership of the RPS across the Industrial Pharmacy workforce.

Member Specification

Membership of the group is based on an individual’s own professional experience rather than them being representative of another group or their organisations. As such the group will be constituted to ensure that individual members have a wide breadth of experience. RPS has ultimate responsibility for the constitution of the group.

Members of the group will:
  • Be nationally and possibly internationally recognised as an expert in industrial pharmacy (nominees should be at the forefront of practice)
  • Have an appreciation of the involvement of institutional roles and professional organisations
  • Possess a broad knowledge and expertise in a relevant area of industrial pharmacy and/or multidisciplinary experience and expertise
  • Be a member of RPS (where eligible). Members of the group are expected to conform to the RPS code of conduct for members of governance bodies as well as codes applicable to their respective disciplines and institutions
  • Ideally not already be a member of any other RPS Advisory Group or a current member of the RPS National Boards.
Time demands / Ways of working:
  • The group will typically meet formally face-to-face and/or virtually a maximum of three times a year with additional meetings when required
  • The majority of interactions will be virtual, by email or through other online networks as agreed by RPS
  • Members will declare any interests that may be a conflict to the work underway
  • The RPS staff lead is responsible for reporting the activities and deliverables of the group to the three National Boards and the Assembly
  • All members are expected to attend at least 75% of all meetings held. Those not attending 75% of all meetings may be asked to stand down by the Chair.
  • Administrative support will be provided to the group and to the Chair to plan meetings and undertake work programmes
Terms of Office

The term for members to sit on the Industrial Pharmacy Advisory Group is 3 years with a second term possible in order to stagger turnover of membership. Previous membership of the group is not a bar to reapplication at a later date. It is expected if a member no longer meets the member specification, e.g. their role changes, that they would step down. In case of retirement, members may remain on the group for an additional year. The positions for the Group members will be advertised openly and the selection process undertaken by the RPS.

Composition

The composition of the Industrial Pharmacy Advisory Group should reflect the spectrum of Pharmacy practice as well as regional and country interests. The IPAG will not exceed 15 members who will be appointed by the Chair and RPS Chief Scientist. Industrial Pharmacy Advisory Group members will be appointed following an open call for nominations or by direct appointment.

Chair

Chairmanship is held for a maximum period of 3 years. The election of the Chair will be held at the last formal meeting of the Chair’s term of office following the standard RPS process.

A member standing for Chair should declare any actual or potential conflicts of interest. It is widely accepted that professional experts will be asked to sit on various committees and groups nationally and internationally and that such external recognition would not preclude appointment to the Chair.

Refreshing Membership

When vacancies occur on the advisory group, an invitation for new members to join the group will be circulated. This will be done as need arises, or as a minimum every three years. Those interested should submit the required paperwork and their CV to the Chair of the group. On occasion, it may be necessary to co-opt specific expertise onto the advisory group.

Other

RPS Staff Support

Appropriate RPS staff will attend meetings as required to support the work of the Advisory Group, including:

  • Chief Scientist
  • Director of Pharmacy and Member Experience
  • Directorate Administrator
  • other RPS staff, invited guests and external consultants engaged by RPS as required.
Reimbursement

Travel expenses up to the level of the standard class ticket bought on the day of travel will be reimbursed when the RPS requires the Advisory Group to meet.