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Responsible Pharmacist
Legislative changes regarding Responsible Pharmacist will be implemented today 1 October 2009.
Now that the Responsible Pharmacist Regulations have come into force, allowing absences, and before the provisions relating to supervision have been examined, clarification is needed about the extent to which a pharmacy with a single pharmacist can operate, with respect to the NHS Terms of Service. The Department of Health has been asked for its stance on the extent to which an NHS pharmacy can operate, during the absence of a pharmacist (for example, during the permitted absence of the Responsible Pharmacist). It has confirmed that the current Terms of Service were formulated (through negotiation with PSNC) on the basis that a pharmacist would be present at all times that the pharmacy is open for the provision of pharmaceutical services. This was the position during negotiations, as the Medicines Act 1968, required a pharmacist to be in personal control - and this had been interpreted as meaning on the pharmacy premises. The Department of Health has not had discussions with PSNC about whether the Terms of Service should be amended in the light of the coming into force of the Responsible Pharmacist Regulations, and therefore NHS pharmacies should continue to have a pharmacist on the premises at all times that NHS pharmaceutical services are being provided. This is the case during both the core and declared supplementary hours.
Today in a joint statement DH and PSNC state: "Introduction of the responsible pharmacist requirements have been achieved through the amendment of medicines legislation. No changes have been made to NHS Pharmaceutical Services Regulations, including the terms of service for community pharmacy contractors. The Department of Health and the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee will undertake a review of the community pharmacy contractual framework and NHS Pharmaceutical Services Regulations in light of the responsible pharmacist changes to medicines legislation."
For more information see the Responsible Pharmacist section of the PSNC website here.
Posted 1 October 2009