The Pharmaceutical Society NI has published new Guidance on the statutory requirement to hold appropriate indemnity cover and what this means for our registrants. This Guidance has been produced following a consultation which closed in April 2014.
We would like to thank all those who took the time to respond to the consultation. Feedback from the consultation has been helpful in identifying areas that require further clarity and we have made some amendments to our Guidance and produced a Frequently Asked Questions document as a result.
The statutory requirement to have in place an appropriate indemnity arrangement as a condition of registration was brought into effect on 7 November 2013, in order to comply with EU legislation. Enabling regulations to support the introduction of this requirement came into operation on 1 June 2014.
Key points registrants need to know:
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As a registrant, it is your personal responsibility to ensure that you have indemnity cover in place, appropriate to your scope of practice and the extent and nature of risks involved. This means that the cover needs to be sufficient to meet the costs of litigation and any successful claim for compensation.
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When applying to join the register for the first time, renewing your registration or applying to be restored to the register, you will be required to self-declare that you have or will have appropriate cover in place, once you begin practising.
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If you do not complete the declaration, you will not be registered.
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If you are employed and are in any doubt, always ask your employer what is covered to ensure it is sufficient for your needs and relevant to your scope of practice.
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If you are self-employed you will need to make sure that you have put in place your own arrangements for professional indemnity. You should make sure that you understand the terms of your insurance policy and make a full declaration of all material facts and relevant information to your insurer.
The Guidance and Frequently Asked Questions document aim to help you understand our requirements and your responsibility as a registrant.
The Guidance and Frequently Asked Questions are available in the Guidance section on the Code of Ethics and Standards page found here
If you are unsure about the appropriateness of an indemnity arrangement, you should seek further advice. This might include speaking to your professional body, trade union/defence organisation, specialist insurer (if appropriate) or your employer.