Abstract:
What does the term hospital pharmacist actually mean in different European countries? How do they practice? What competencies do they have? How are they educated? To what extent do standards work? Many institutions (e.g. FIP, WHO or consortium such as Pharmine) have addressed these issues by developing competency frameworks, guidelines and standards of practice or educational curriculum.

Where are we in 2012? How feasible is it in reality to apply these standards? What use are standards without a capable and competent workforce?

After giving an overview of the universality of Hospital pharmacy standards across Europe, the speakers will present the approach adopted in one Country as an exemplar, looking at both national Standards and those as applied to particular situation. (UK and the Standards of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society), using the recently released standards for the provision of parenteral nutrition for neonates and children.

The speakers will illustrate the concept of generic principles of good practice and consider standards for a specific situation, such as specialist pharmacy (nutrition) in a group with little evidence base (Paediatrics).

Teaching goals:

• the importance of national, European, global initiatives and cooperation on standards
• the importance of education
• the evidence for a capable and competent workforce

Learning objectives:

After the presentation the participant should:

• Be aware of the standards
• Understand how to deal with standards in practice
• Promote collaborative working at European level