Singapore Pharmacy Council Annual Report 2017

Introduction

The Singapore Pharmacy Council (SPC) serves as the regulatory authority for the pharmacy profession in Singapore. Established under the Pharmacist Registration Act, the Council is responsible for maintaining professional standards, ensuring pharmacists' competency, and safeguarding public interest in pharmaceutical services. The 2017 Annual Report highlights the Council's significant progress in various regulatory and developmental functions throughout the year.

The report reflects on strategic initiatives undertaken to enhance pharmacy standards, challenges faced, and the vision for the future of pharmacy practice in Singapore. Under the guidance of the Ministry of Health, the SPC continues to evolve in tandem with Singapore's healthcare transformation, addressing changing patient needs, emerging trends in pharmacy practice, and international best practices.

Key Achievements in 2017

2017 was a milestone year for the Singapore Pharmacy Council. The following achievements marked significant progress in the Council's regulatory and developmental functions:

• Streamlined registration processes with enhanced online capabilities, reducing administrative time for new pharmacists and improving efficiency.
• Full implementation of the mandatory Continuing Professional Education (CPE) framework, ensuring pharmacists stay updated with latest developments.
• Development of new standards for pharmacy practice in community and hospital settings.
• Strengthened enforcement mechanisms through improved disciplinary procedures and practice audits.
• Enhanced public communication campaigns to raise awareness about pharmacist roles.
• Collaboration with international pharmacy regulatory bodies to benchmark standards and practices.
• Review and update of the Code of Ethics for pharmacists in Singapore.

Registration Statistics

The Annual Report provides comprehensive data on pharmacist registration for 2017, offering insights into the growth and composition of the pharmacy workforce in Singapore. In 2017, the total number of registered pharmacists increased by 7.2% compared to the previous year, bringing the total to 3,247 pharmacists. This growth reflects the increasing demand for pharmaceutical services across Singapore's healthcare ecosystem.

Demographics of Registered Pharmacists:

• Hospital pharmacists: 42% (1,365 pharmacists)
• Community pharmacists: 35% (1,137 pharmacists)
• Administrative/Regulatory: 12% (389 pharmacists)
• Research/Academic: 7% (227 pharmacists)
• Other settings: 4% (129 pharmacists)

New Registrations in 2017:

• Local graduates: 156
• Foreign-qualified pharmacists: 89
• Restorations to register: 23

The Council noted an increase in applications from foreign-qualified pharmacists, reflecting Singapore's growing attractiveness as a destination for pharmacy professionals and the Council's efforts to maintain high standards while facilitating international mobility.

Professional Development Initiatives

The Singapore Pharmacy Council prioritized professional development in 2017, recognizing the importance of continuous learning for maintaining high standards of pharmaceutical care. Several key initiatives were implemented during the year:

Continuing Professional Education (CPE)

2017 marked the first full year of the mandatory CPE framework. All registered pharmacists were required to complete 50 CPE points over a two-year cycle, including points in core competency areas. The framework was designed to ensure pharmacists maintain competence across fundamental areas of practice while allowing for specialization in emerging areas.

Specialization Framework

The Council developed a framework for recognition of pharmacy specializations in 2017. This included criteria for accreditation of specialist training programs and a structured approach to recognizing pharmacists with advanced expertise in areas such as oncology, geriatrics, and critical care.

Leadership Development

In collaboration with healthcare institutions and academic partners, the SPC launched leadership development programs for senior pharmacists, preparing them for expanded roles in Singapore's evolving healthcare system.

Enforcement Activities

Maintaining public confidence in the pharmacy profession requires robust enforcement mechanisms. In 2017, the Singapore Pharmacy Council strengthened its regulatory functions through several measures:

Disciplinary Proceedings

The Council received 32 complaints against pharmacists in 2017, a slight decrease from 2016. After thorough investigation, 15 cases advanced to formal disciplinary proceedings, resulting in the following outcomes:

• Three pharmacists had their registration suspended for periods ranging from 3 to 12 months
• Seven pharmacists received fines or warnings
• Five cases were dismissed following investigation

Practice Audits

The Council enhanced its audit program in 2017, conducting both announced and unannounced inspections of pharmacy practice sites. This included 67 community pharmacies and 23 hospital pharmacy departments. Compliance rates improved compared to previous years, with 94% of sites meeting all required standards.

Clinical Governance

Building on previous years' work, the SPC issued new guidance on clinical governance for pharmacy practice, emphasizing systems for quality improvement, risk management, and patient safety.

Public Safety Initiatives

The Council collaborated with the Health Sciences Authority to address concerns about online sales of pharmacy-only medicines, implementing measures to protect consumers from potentially illegal online pharmacy operations.

Future Directions

The 2017 Annual Report outlines strategic directions for the Singapore Pharmacy Council for the coming years, aligning with broader national healthcare priorities:

Expanded Scope of Practice

The Council will work with the Ministry of Health to develop frameworks for expanded pharmacist roles, particularly in chronic disease management, vaccination services, and minor ailments schemes.

Digital Pharmacy

Recognizing the growing importance of digital health, the SPC plans to develop guidance for tele-pharmacy services and establish standards for digital prescribing and dispensing systems.

Workforce Development

Building on 2017's initiatives, the Council aims to further enhance pharmacy specialty training pathways and develop a more structured approach to advanced practice recognition.

Quality Framework

The SPC will continue to develop and implement a comprehensive quality framework for pharmacy services, incorporating outcome measures and patient experience indicators.

International Collaboration

Strengthening ties with international pharmacy regulatory bodies remains a priority, with particular focus on mutual recognition agreements and benchmarking of standards.