NPA Urges Caution On Emergency Registration Of Pharmacists, UK

Main Category: Pharmacy / Pharmacist
Article Date: 31 Mar 2008 - 4:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   view / write opinions   rate article

Responding to the Health Care and Associated Professions (Miscellaneous Amendments) No 2 Order 2008 consultation, the NPA has cautioned that patient safety must remain paramount, even at times of national emergency.

For this reason the NPA recommends that, at a time of national emergency, only very recently retired pharmacists, some non-practising pharmacists and some preregistration trainees nearing the end of their training should be automatically transferred to the practising register.

The Association believes that when a member of the public consults a pharmacist they must have the confidence that this person has completed all the requirements for qualification as a pharmacist, and has up-to-date knowledge.

We do not agree that the RPSGB or GPhC registrar should have the power to register other groups as pharmacists. Allowing non-pharmacists to register and use the restricted title of pharmacist could damage long-term patient confidence in the profession.

National Pharmacy Association