The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has welcomed the start of a government consultation on changes to the law to provide a new defence on inadvertent dispensing errors in hospitals and other settings.
This follows similar measures coming into effect in April for registered pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in registered pharmacies.
The Government is also consulting on proposals around superintendent and responsible pharmacists.
President of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Ash Soni said:
“The RPS has continued calling on the Government to introduce these vital changes and so I am delighted that the Minister has delivered on his commitment to bring forward the next stage in the consultation on inadvertent dispensing errors, which should help to put the whole profession on an equal footing.
“The Government must now ensure that these changes will work in practice to reduce the fear of prosecution, encouraging a culture where people feel able to report errors and learn from mistakes to improve patient safety.”
“Measures around superintendent and responsible pharmacists should strengthen governance and give greater responsibility on a day-to-day basis to responsible pharmacists.”
Chief Executive of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Paul Bennet said:
“The Royal Pharmaceutical Society is committed to engaging constructively with government and stakeholders on these important issues, including through the Rebalancing Board.
“We will be asking our members for their views on these latest proposals as we develop our response to the consultation.”
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has published a Quick Reference Guide on making things right when there's been a dispensing error.
Members can also speak to our professional support service about managing dispensing errors on 0845 257 2570.