| 1970 |
Margaret Benfield appointed as Group Chief Pharmacist to Leavesden and Abbots Langley Hospitals, and realises that there is need for contact with other pharmacists |
| 1970 |
Margaret Benfield organises a Saturday meeting for psychiatric pharmacists from the St. Albans area (Cell Barnes, Hill End, Harperbury, Napsbury etc). Probably the first meeting of its type. |
| 1971-2 |
Psychiatric Pharmacy Association (PsyPhA) formed, with Margaret Benfield as chairman, Denise Preskey as Treasurer. |
| 1973-5ish |
PsyPhA disbanded, as the committee felt it was self-perpetuating and not democratic |
| 1974/5 |
A survey was carried out of all psychiatric hospitals known to have pharmacy departments. Margaret Benfield has a copy on a computer somewhere - does anyone else have a copy of this? |
| 1974/5 |
Janssen organised a trip for psychiatric pharmacists to their factory in Belgium. It was over-subscribed and, as a result, the Janssen MD visited Margaret Benfield to discuss sponsoring a conference for psychiatric pharmacists to meet one another. |
| September 1976 |
First Conference. Speakers included Dave Branford, giving one of two talks on "Drug Administration", the other being by a Senior Nursing Officer |
| 1976-80 |
Full conference proceedings published by Janssen, edited by Margaret Benfield, including photographs by Colin Benfield |
| 1980 |
"Psychiatric Pharmacy Association" carried out a survey of pharmacy in Psychiatric Hospitals. Published 1981 thanks to Dorsey Laboratories (part of Sandoz). Compiled by Margaret Benfield, Glyn Griffiths and Denise Preskey. I (Stephen Bazire) have a copy of this if anyone is interested. |
| September 1983 |
First Medical Exhibition at Conference |
| 1986 |
Conference organisers began running the conference themselves, rather than have Industry run it for them |
| 1988 |
A report appears in British Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice (Branford DM, 1988;10:252-253) reporting on the first joint meeting between the College of Pharmacy Practice and the "newly formed Psychiatric Pharmacy Group". It addressed "The transfer of mental health care to the community." |
| 1989 |
Alan Milligan becomes the first pharmacist Mental Health Act Commissioner |
| 1989 |
In 1989 clozapine was marketed by Sandoz, with a revolutionary pharmacy-managed monitoring scheme. For academic interest, back in 1989, Sandoz was having difficulty convincing the CSM that there was a satisfactory system of control and monitoring, and the then Chairman Dave Branford proposed using psychiatric pharmacies, rather than public health laboratories or private health care organisations. The RPSGB deemed it unethical to have a system than paid pharmacies for monitoring work (with the potential for conflicts of interest and possible incentives to prescribing). The elegant solution was that Sandoz fund 3-4 training courses per year for 100 mental health pharmacists. It did mean that pharmacies were expected to manage the workload without direct extra staffing (although some did receive extra funding as part of overall bids) but the training framework has been pivotal in helping revolutionise the practice of psychiatric pharmacy in the UK. |
| October 1989 |
Psychiatric Pharmacy Group officially formed at the Annual Conference, under the leadership of Dave Branford |
| 1990 |
Conference agency employed to run conference, with over 100 delegates expected, including some International speakers and delegates. |
| May 1990 |
First PPG Bulletin, sponsored by Lederle. |
| 1990 |
Sandoz CPMS-supported residential training courses/weekends started. |
| 24th-25th October 1990 |
The PPG organises a study day in Leicester concerning the teaching of psychiatric pharmacy. Speakers included Prof. Paul Spencer (Cardiff, role of Schools of Pharmacy), Dave Branford (Leicester, teaching psychiatry at undergraduate level), Lynn Haygarth (Leeds, role of psychiatric pharmacist), Mary Tompkin (London, future of community psychiatry), Dr Geoff Hall (Sunderland, psychiatry as an undergraduate elective) and Dr. Dave Hutchins (Leicester) and Dr Alan George (Liverpool) on the use of videos for teaching psychiatric illnesses. Directors of Studies of all Schools of Pharmacy were invited and many attended, although few seem convinced that clinical pharmacy occurs in the mental health field (report in Pharm J 1990, 245, 591) |
| 1990 |
PPG produces a statement on use of benzodiazepines. The advice to hospital pharmacists was published in the Pharmaceutical Journal (Pharm J 1990, 244, 197). |
| October 1990 |
PPG AGM passes a motion to seek to establish a postgraduate qualification psychiatric pharmacy (proposed Lynn Haygarth, seconded Peter Pratt). Thought by many at the time to be a completely unrealistic aim. |
| January 1991 |
PPG Bulletin now supported by SmithKline Beecham and their publications manager Dee Drinkwater. |
| July 1991 |
Lilly/Dista, through their Dr. Hiram Wildgust, run a two-day pharmacist mental health conference at the Moat House International Hotel, Stratford-upon-Avon, from 12th-13th July. Speakers included Professor Sandler (London, talking about 5-HT), Prof. Brian Leonard (Galway, SSRIs), Professor Tantum (Warwick), Dr. Kumar (London, puerperal mental illness), Dr. D Tamlyn (Lees, Bulimia), Prof. Craig (London, community psychiatry), Mr G Hind (Lancaster, new NHS) and Peter Pratt (Sheffield, talking about the "Pharmacy Psychiatry Symposium Group), and all chaired by Prof. Paul Spencer from Cardiff. This became a regular annual event, moving eventually to Coventry. |
| 21st November 1991 |
For some reason no one can remember, the RPSGB holds a one-off "Symposium on Drugs in use in Psychiatry" at Lambeth High Street. Speakers included Dr. Tom Barnes (London, risks and benefits of todays drugs), Prof. Naylor (Bradford, tomorrows drugs), Dr. Sahakian (London, Alzheimer's drugs), Dr. Malcolm Peet (Sheffield, community drug issues), Prof. Trevor Silverstone (London, new drugs) and Dr. Montgomery (London, new indications). |
| October 1992 |
PPG becomes the United Kingdom Psychiatric Pharmacy Group |
| October 1992 |
Attempt to form a Special Interest group for psychiatry within ESCP (European Society of Clinical Pharmacy). (Stephen Bazire visits the ESCP Symposium in Copenhagen but fails to find anyone from Europe remotely interested in mental health amongst the 700 delegates. Meeting Professors Larry Ereshefsky and Stephen Bryant from USA was the only positive outcome). |
| January 1993 |
First intake for Liverpool Polytechnic Diploma in Psychiatric Pharmacy planned |
| March 1993 |
First intake for De Montfort University Diploma in Psychiatric Pharmacy, with David Branford as Course Leader |
| June 1993 |
UKPPG Care in the Community Statement launched |
| October 1994 |
Nurjehan Moledina (Sutton) becomes first person to obtain Postgraduate Diploma in Psychiatric Pharmacy |
| October 1995 |
Consensus statement on Community Care published. A report appears in the PJ (UKPPG, Pharm J 14 Oct 1995;255:501-3) |
| January 1996? |
UKPPG patient information leaflets launched |
| May 1996 |
First attempt at UKPPG website, by Paul Hardy on a Compuserve server. |
| October 1996 |
UKPPG membership by annual subscription introduced, having been rejected at the AGM the previous year. |
| December 1996 |
Nurjehan Moledina (Sutton) and Kathryn Carter (Leicester) become first people to obtain MSc in Psychiatric Pharmacy |
| May 1997 |
Opening of UKPPG National telephone helpline, financially supported by AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals (Zeneca as it was then), for two years, extended later to 5 years, after the 1999 Helpline report indicated how useful it was. |
| May 1997 |
First specific meeting of European Psychopharmacists, in Brussels. |
| May 1997 |
Establishment of the European Psychopharmacists, in Lille, November 1997, when the group name "European Psychopharmacy" was launched |
| May 1998 |
The groups first website www.ukppg.co.uk becomes operational |
| June 1998 |
After several meetings, letters and reports, the UKPPG withdrew support for the Certificate/Diploma/MSc in Psychiatric Pharmacy from De Montfort University due to the lack of anyone at De Montfort with appropriate mental health expertise after the unfortunate "loss" of Dr. Dave Hutchins and Dr. Dave Branford from their staff. A new course was proposed for Aston University, which eventually became very successful. The De Montfort course was later put "on hold". |
| July 1998 |
UKPPG Bulletin now sponsored by Pfizer, and published by Hayward Medical Communications |
| September 1998 |
Celia Feetam becomes Course Leader for Aston University Postgraduate Psychiatric Pharmacy qualification |
| September 1998 |
First pharmacist-run parallel symposium at a major international psychiatry conference – Association of European Psychiatrists, Copenhagen, of which some photographs are available. |
| October 1998 |
First UKPPG book ("Case studies in Psychopharmacology") launched, edited by David Taylor and Carol Paton |
| November 1998 |
First European Psychopharmacy Congress, Skodsborg, Copenhagen, November 1998, supported by Lundbeck |
| 1998 |
Dave Branford become a Mental Health Act Commissioner |
| December 1998 |
First Pharmacist-written guest Editorial in a major psychiatric journal. Written by John Donoghue (biography, Acta Psych Scand 1998, 98, 509-510). |
| January 1999 |
First intake of pharmacists for the Aston Postgraduate Psychiatric Pharmacy Certificate started. |
| February 1999 |
A membership survey undertaken in summer 1998 was circulated early in 1999. It covered pharmacies, pharmacists and a survey of activities carried out. It was published in February 1999. |
| March 1999 |
UKPPG committee takes the decision to attempt to establish a College of Mental Health Pharmacists. The May 1999 UKPPG Bulletin contains a 7-page discussion and consultation document. |
| September 1999 |
Government releases the National Service Framework for Mental Health in England. There was a notable lack of pharmacy input, which was apparently because no pharmacist was asked to take part. |
| October 1999 |
The best-ever attended UKPPG AGM (119 members) votes, after a lengthy and open discussion, to vote to mandate the committee to take the measures necessary to establishment of a College of Mental Health Pharmacists. The two and a half hour AGM heard views from many sides, including the College of Pharmacy Practice. |
| 1999/2000 |
Petrina Douglas-Hall becomes the third pharmacist Mental Health Act Commissioner |
| January 2000 |
Elections for Founding Members of the College of Mental Health Pharmacists were held, by postal vote, organised by Denny Humphries. John Donoghue, Dr. David Branford, David Taylor, Evelyn McPhail and Trudi Hilton were voted as the five Founder members, with Sylvia Otter, Joan Miller, Diana Jones and Anthony Oxley standing and receiving lots of votes as well. |
| March 2000 |
First meeting of the College of Mental Health Pharmacists Board of Founders, in Manchester. |
| March 2000 |
UKPPG makes an collective input to the review of the Mental Health Act, as well as circulating the UKPPG reply to all members, some of whom use it as a basis for an input locally within their own Trusts. |
| March 2000 |
Publishing of the UKPPG Bulletin moves from Hayward Medical Communications (who provided a high quality product for two years) to Academic Publishing Services. The first edition (June 2000) actually comes out in June. |
| April 2000 |
First intake of pharmacists for the Aston Postgraduate Psychiatric Pharmacy Diploma started, and 25 (of 27) candidates pass the first Postgraduate Certificate from Aston. |
| April 2000 |
Dr. Dave Branford leaves the committee to move to the CMHP, after x years on the committee (where x tends towards infinity, or at least 18), as does immediate past Chairman David Taylor. |
| April 2000 |
The UKPPG e-mail discussion group was launched, through "egroups" and set up and managed by Graham Parton from Bristol. Chairman Stephen Bazire had the idea the UKPPG needed such a group, but Graham was the only person who actually knew what to do and how to set it up. |
| May 2000 |
David Taylor (Maudsley) becomes the first President/Chairman of the College of Mental Health Pharmacists. |
| June 2000 |
Evelyn McPhail becomes the Vice President of the CMHP, Trudi Hilton the Treasurer, Dr. Dave Branford the registrar and John Donoghue the PR Officer at the second meeting. |
| July 2000 |
Winners in the hospital section of the Pharmaceutical Journal/GlaxoWelcome Pharmaceutical Care Awards for 1999 for "Managing patients on high-dose antipsychotics" were Pat Murray (chief pharmacist, Royal Edinburgh hospital) and Joy Nicholson (principal pharmacist, Royal Edinburgh hospital). A team led by Ms Betsy Wilkie (principal pharmacist, community services, St Pancras hospital, London) won the runner-up prize in the shared care category for a project on the production of leaflets on psychiatric medication for patients with learning disabilities (Pharm J 2000, 285, 21-15). |
| 12th September 2000 |
The RPSGB Mental Health Task Force guidance was launched at the British Pharmaceutical Conference in Birmingham, to an audience that reached 75 at its peak. The 74 page document is available from the Society and sent to UKPPG members. Hemant Patel was the RPSGB President that started the ball rolling, Hassan Argomandkhah chaired the group, and UKPPG members John Donoghue and Stephen Bazire were on the group, the latter presenting at the BPC. |
| 14th September 2000 |
The UKPPG website moves from www.ukppg.co.uk to www.ukppg.org. |
| August-September 2000 |
The De Montfort certificate and Diploma in psychiatric pharmacy was put "on hold". |
| October 2000 |
The 25th Annual Conference is held, at a new venue (Wokefield House, Berkshire). The College of Mental Health Pharmacists is semi-officially launched, with the first intake planned for early 2001. |
| March 2001 |
Celia Feetam runs the first Psychiatry for Technicians study day, in Birmingham. It is heavily oversubscribed. |
| June 2001 |
UKPPG committee member Gill Hawksworth gets elected as Vice President of the RPSGB. |
| June 2001 |
Postal launch of College of Mental Health Pharmacists to members. |
| Thursday 4th October 2001 |
Carol Paton becomes the full member of the College of Mental Health Pharmacists, before the UKPPG Conference in Wokefield Park, and is presented with her certificate the next day. |
| 6th October 2001 |
Launch of PALs (Patient Advice Leaflets) on CD-ROM, at best-ever attended UKPPG conference. |
| March 2002 |
Setting up of a Head Office and corporate address, phone, fax, e-mails etc, at 2, The Hawthorns, Moseley, Birmingham B13 9DY. |
| September 2002 |
Sales of PALs (Patient Advice Leaflets) on CD-ROM reach 200, and feedback forms show high customer satisfaction. |
| October 2002 |
At the 2002 conference, CMHP accredited membership reaches 12, and delegates from Ghana, Sweden, Netherlands, Norway, Australia, Guernsey and New Zealand join the British contingent. |
| November 2002 |
End of link with C3 for Head Office and corporate address. |
| September 2003 |
UKPPG and CMHP Joint Position Statement on Specialist Pharmacist Supplementary prescribing in Mental health and Learning Disabilities published, having been led by Graham Newton. |
| October 2003 |
At the 2003 conference, CMHP accredited membership reaches 20, and delegates from Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, New Zealand and Australia join the British contingent. |
| October 2004 |
At the 2004 conference, CMHP accredited membership reached 25, and the Board resugned ready for full elections. Delegates from Netherlands, Belgium, Norway and New Zealand joined the British contingent. |
