For independent articles / debates on TransCom and its process please see the following websites: C&D and PJ Online.   Following the publication of the Prospectus, a transitional working group (TWG) was set up on behalf of the Society's Council to continue the work started by TransCom. Its role is to oversee the successful delivery of the new recommendations. Details of the TWG and the programme of work to deliver the new professional leadership body can be found at www.pharmacyplb.com   In February 2007 the government issued the White Paper - Trust, assurance and safety: the regulation of health professionals - a programme of reform was set out for the regulation of pharmacy, with an implementation date of January 2010.   The White Paper stipulated the separation of regulation from the professional body for the pharmacy profession, with the Professional Regulation and Leadership Oversight Group (PRLOG) overseeing the implementation of the new regulator, the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
In June 2007 the Council of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB), commissioned an independent inquiry into the future professional body, the Clarke Inquiry. The Inquiry conducted an extensive consultation with the profession throughout the winter of 2007 - 2008.
The Clarke Inquiry produced a Report making 64 recommendations to the RPSGB Council, setting out the shape, style and functions that the profession wished to see in its Professional Body. Recommendation LIX of the Clarke Report suggested that "the RPSGB should convene a transitional committee charged with overseeing the project of preparing for the new Professional Body" with the main objective of this Committee being to produce "a Prospectus for the new Professional Body so that potential members can make an informed choice about membership."
The RPSGB decided to act on these recommendations and asked Nigel Clarke to chair what became known as TransCom; the Transitional Committee. Nigel worked with a Committee of 14   to produce the Prospectus in November 2008.
TransCom created smaller working groups with members drawn more broadly from the profession. The remit of these working groups was to tackle specific pieces of work relating to issues such as structure and member services. A Reference Group was also brought together, consisting of pharmacy organisations who would not be part of a new professional body but who would have an active interest in its development. The Reference Group and TransCom met on a regular basis.
TransCom held monthly meetings in public, which were open to observers. In addition to this TransCom held roadshows for the profession throughout August and September 2008. There was a weekly blog by a guest blogger in the profession on the website and much emphasis was placed on the need for individuals and organisations to respond to the blog or post any comments they had, on any subject, for TransCom on the comments page.
The Prospectus was presented to the RPSGB Council in November and remains available to the profession and downloadable from this website (since December 2008).