Adding information to the RPS statement on its consultation response on hospital dispensing errors and superintendent and responsible pharmacists, RPS President Ash Soni said:
“The RPS has always been clear that every pharmacy should have a responsible pharmacist. This is also defined clearly in Chapter 4 of the RPS Medicines, Ethics and Practice: “…..the pharmacist can only be in charge of one registered premises at any one time.”
“Our consultation response reinforces this view and it is also stated in our policy summary.
“We will be challenging the General Pharmaceutical Council to make sure there is a defined and specific description of the ‘exceptional’ circumstances where pharmacists, not employers, would use their judgement to make sure patients have access to essential medicines. The majority of the members we engaged with over the consultation period were clear that it was only in emergencies that a Responsible Pharmacist could be responsible for more than one pharmacy.
“We as a profession, not employers or Government, need to lead the debate and create our own future – we must put pharmacy at the forefront of healthcare.
“By 2020 we will define professional standards for community pharmacy, working collaboratively across the profession and stakeholders. We recognise there is a spectrum of views and will make sure members have opportunities to shape this work.”