25 October 2022
New legislative orders will give the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland (PSNI) powers to set professional standards for Responsible Pharmacists, Superintendent Pharmacists and Chief Pharmacists.
The Pharmacy (Preparation and Dispensing Errors – Hospital (and Other Pharmacy Services) Order 2022 and the Pharmacy (Responsible Pharmacists, Superintendent Pharmacists etc.) Order 2022 have now been published after being approved by the Privy Council. The Orders are both expected to be commenced and come into force in December 2022.
Trevor Patterson, Chief Executive of the Pharmaceutical Society NI said:
“We have been working with our colleagues in the GPhC and Government for some time on these two pieces of important legislation and we are delighted they have now reached the statute books.
“Both Orders enable and enhance the powers we, and the GPhC, have to define the roles and responsibilities of Responsible, Superintendent and Chief Pharmacists, respectively. They also create protections against criminal prosecution for hospital pharmacists where an inadvertent error is made either in dispensing or assembly, in certain defined circumstances, similar to the protections available to colleagues working in community/registered pharmacy settings. Provisions that allow the appointment of a Deputy Registrar for our organisation will also be introduced.
“The Pharmacy (Responsible Pharmacists, Superintendent Pharmacists etc.) Order 2022 will transfer responsibility from ministers to regulators to set standards for Superintendent and Responsible Pharmacists, creating greater flexibility in a rapidly evolving health service where patient safety is at the forefront.
“Throughout its development we have fully supported the aims of the Hospital (and Other Pharmacy Services) Order 2022, which will be supportive to registrants and further encourage an open and candid working culture, one in which mistakes are recognised and rectified enhancing patient safety at all levels and where a learning culture can be embedded in everyday practice.
“Once these powers have commenced, on 1 December 2022, we will work with our partners in the GPhC, the Northern Ireland pharmacy community and with other stakeholders to develop the appropriate Professional Standards and Guidance to underpin good pharmacy practice, thus supporting and enhancing modern and safe patient care.”
You can read the published orders here:
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Notes
The Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland is the regulatory body for pharmacists in Northern Ireland. Our primary purpose is to ensure practicing pharmacists in Northern Ireland are fit to practise, keep their skills and knowledge up to date and deliver high quality safe care to patients.
For further information, please contact Mark Neale at the Pharmaceutical Society NI on 02890326927 or mark.neale@psni.org.uk