The Institute of Clinical Research (ICR) has launched a new career booklet to provide information to those wishing to enter the pharmacy profession or pharmacy staff seeking a career move
The booklet, entitled 'To be a pharmacy professional in clinical research' has been produced by the ICR's Pharmacy Special Interest Group (SIG) and discusses the numerous and various roles open to the pharmacy professional working in clinical research in the UK.
The booklet was produced to help those with two or three years broad pharmacy experience make the crucial decision about the next step in their career.
John Gilroy, chair of the pharmacy SIG with more than 20 years pharmacy experience, said: "There are many advantages of going into clinical research for a pharmacy professional.
"It is a career area that offers many rewards professionally.
"They can work to protect patients and the public, be involved in problem-solving and regulation implementation and be a part of a multi-disciplinary team working with a wide range of professionals outside the pharmacy arena".
In addition, the pharmacy SIG has also produced a policy template document for the safe handling of clinical trial medicines in NHS Trusts.
It has been created to further safeguard the patients, healthcare professionals and the Trust and ensure procedures are understood and correctly followed.
Gilroy added: "Pharmacy professionals must ensure that any medicine used in a trial is appropriate for use and procured, handled, stored, used safely and correctly and disposed of appropriately.
"They must also ensure that the medicine can be accounted for through all of these stages.
"With so many important elements in the process, it is essential that nothing is overlooked".
The ICR has many special interest groups and established the pharmacy SIG ten years ago to raise the profile of pharmacy personnel working in clinical research, to develop training programmes and provide a support network specifically for pharmacy related issues.
It comprises both pharmacists and pharmacy technicians from the hospital pharmacy service, placing it as a premier resource for the pharmacy profession.
The 'To be a pharmacy professional in clinical research' booklet can be downloaded as a free eBook or is available from the ICR's online shop
