Until recently, there has been no integrated systematic provision of postgraduate education for pharmacy practitioners in England. This poses a significant problem for career development, which in turn impacts on implementation of health care reform policy, improved provision of public health and patient safety. The level of currently available post-registration pharmacy education has evolved from the need for development of specialist pharmacist skills and knowledge.

The safe and effective use of medicines within both primary and secondary care is paramount for effective acute and chronic disease management. Pharmacists have a clear role to play in medicines management and the prescribing agenda, which necessarily means that a modern and effective post-registration training programme for general level and advanced level practitioners is needed.

The role for higher education institutions (HEIs) is to provide appropriate programmes that actively support and enhance the continuing education and learning needs of all practitioners.