Aims & Objectives

Aim

To ensure best treatment with medicines for people with mental health needs.

Objectives of the UKPPG:

To promote the highest standards of pharmaceutical practice within the specialty of mental health
To promote the role of specialist mental health pharmacists in optimising treatment with medicines, through communication, mentorship, support and dissemination of good practice
To lead, promote and encourage research into and development of treatment within mental health
To be the forum for all pharmacists with an interest in mental health
To inform and guide the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain about the pharmaceutical needs of patients with a mental health problem or learning disability
To encourage and promote specialist postgraduate and other education of pharmacists to facilitate improved practice
To develop the College of Mental Health Pharmacists as the accreditation body for specialist mental health pharmacists
To work in partnership with other groups, including users and carers, on matters relating to mental health practice
To develop and monitor standards of pharmaceutical practice in mental health
To promote the role of pharmacists in mental health care

Main key messages:

The main UKPPG messages to the world are:

Appropriate drug therapy helps treat mental health problems, minimises relapse and reduces suicide.
Mental health pharmacist’s aim is the safety of patients, by making sure that people who need drugs get them and take them at the optimum dose, and those that don't need drugs, don't get them.
All mental health service users should have the support of, and access to, independent education and advice about drugs, preferably from a specialist mental health pharmacist

The main UKPPG messages to other pharmacists are:

Psychiatry is a specialty, which is not to be dabbled with as inaccurate information is dangerous
The UKPPG is a strong, credible and accessible organisation of over 400 pharmacists
The UKPPG has many credible professionals, many with specialist mental health postgraduate qualifications
Specialist mental health pharmacists have specialist skills, which should be recognised
Specialist mental health pharmacists should thus be involved in policy decisions

Membership

Finance

There will be an annual membership fee.
There may be charges for educational meetings.
The committee shall endeavour to finance group activities from internal and external sources. Industrial sponsorship shall be welcome provided it does not influence the nature of meetings organised by the group and is not taken to imply endorsement of any particular company or product.

Constitution

For the constitution, please click here.