THE CODE FOR PHARMACISTS IN NORTHERN IRELAND
As a professional requirement of registration, all pharmacists in Northern Ireland are expected to abide by the Pharmaceutical Society NI Code (Professional standards of conduct, ethics and performance for pharmacists in Northern Ireland), which can be accessed here.
The Code sets the standard of professional conduct for all pharmacists and is regarded as governing the conduct of all pharmacists both within and outside the practice of pharmacy.
Breach of the Code could form the basis of a complaint of misconduct and an appearance before the Statutory Committee of the Pharmaceutical Society NI. The Statutory Committee can determine to remove registration of a pharmacist or apply another appropriate sanction.
The Code details five mandatory principles that explain the required standards of professional behaviour. These are:
Principle 1: Always put the patient first
Principle 2: Provide a safe and quality service
Principle 3: Act with professionalism and integrity at all times
Principle 4: Communicate effectively and work properly with colleagues
Principle 5: Maintain and develop your knowledge, skills and competence.
This Code is effective from 1 March 2016.
PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS AND GUIDANCE DOCUMENTSSupporting professional standards and guidance documents have been developed to expand upon the principles of the Code of Ethics for specific areas of practice or professional activities. These are:
- Professional standards and guidance for patient confidentiality March 2016
- Professional standards and guidance for the sale and supply of medicines March 2016
- Professional standards and guidance for advertising medicines and professional services March 2016
- Professional standards and Guidance for Internet Pharmacy Services March 2016
- Standards and Guidance for Pharmacist Prescribing – issued on 17 April 2013
- Professional standards and guidance on the Responsible Pharmacist Regulations March 2016
- Pharmacy Premise Standards (Community)
- CPD Framework and Standards 2014 COMPOSITE March 2016
Due to recent updates to certain PDF software, users may experience difficulties in opening some of these documents. We are aware of the problem and are currently working on a solution. Should you require a document, and it doesn’t open properly, please contact the office on 028 90326927 and we will provide an alternative copy. We apologise for any inconvenience.
- Guidance on the Provision of Services – February 2021
- Guidance on Patient Consent – November 2019
- Guidance on Raising Concerns (Whistleblowing) – June 2019
- Guidance on maintaining clear sexual boundaries with patients and carers – July 2019
- Guidance for Hospital Pharmacists on the Responsible Pharmacist Regulations
- Guidance on Prescription Collection and/or Delivery Services March 2016
Due to recent updates to certain PDF software, users may experience difficulties in opening some of these documents. We are aware of the problem and are currently working on a solution. Should you require a document, and it doesn’t open properly, please contact the office on 028 90326927 and we will provide an alternative copy. We apologise for any inconvenience.
Following a review of our current Standards and Guidance documents the Council, at its meeting of 10 April 2018, agreed to remove the following documents:
- Practice Update on Codeine Containing Products
- Supplementary Professional Guidance for Pharmacist in NI on the Provision of Homeopathic Products within a Pharmacy
The rationale for removing these documents is that following the publication of the New Code in February 2016, the Council believes that Registrants, using their professional judgement and expertise, are well placed to deal with the issues contained within these documents, without additional guidance or commentary from the Regulator.
- Joint Statement – Benefits of becoming a reflective practitioner
- Joint Statement – Openness and honesty – the professional duty of candour
- Joint Statement – Principles for good practice in remote consultations and prescribing
- Joint Statement –How to keep safe when getting medicines or treatment online
The following is a list of statutory legislation relating to pharmacy in Northern Ireland. Click here to view list.
This list is not exhaustive or exclusive and other legislation should be researched on the government website www.legislation.gov.uk/ .