The following statement was issued by the Pharmaceutical Society NI, the Regulator of Pharmacists in Northern Ireland.
We are aware of the industrial action, by many healthcare professionals in Northern Ireland, that is planned over the next few weeks. In the light of this we would make the following points.
Like many other professions, pharmacists have the right to take part in lawful industrial action, including strike action.
For those on our register taking part in such action, the standards and behaviours set out in the Code of Conduct, Ethics and Performance (2016) continue to apply.
During industrial action, employers of health and care services have an important role to play in planning and preparing for how people’s individual needs can be responded to and their continuity of care maintained.
For pharmacy professionals not taking part in industrial action, we recognise that they may need to use their professional judgment to assess risk and find the best way to provide care for patients and people who use services.
Our regulatory standards continue to apply in all situations and we hope they can support professionals by highlighting the need to work with colleagues to keep patients and people safe, to practise in line with the best available evidence, to recognise and work within the limits of their competence, and to have appropriate indemnity arrangements relevant to their scope of practice.