Pharmacist On The Premises Is Vital, Says NPA, UK

Main Category: Pharmacy / Pharmacist
Article Date: 21 Jan 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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The NPA has submitted a response to The Responsible Pharmacist consultation, jointly with PSNC, CCA and AIM.

The submission emphasises that it is extremely difficult to give precise answers to questions relating to absence from the pharmacy in advance of Department of Health proposals on supervision.

Nevertheless, it is clear that the Responsible Pharmacist's responsibility to ensure safe and effective supply of medicines and services will require his or her presence in the pharmacy for substantial periods.

NPA Director of Pharmacy & Chief Pharmacist, Colette McCreedy, said:

"The NPA wishes to emphasise the vital importance of a pharmacist presence on the premises, to ensure safe and effective supply and to retain the unique value of community pharmacy. Taken together, changes to regulations covering RP and supervision must satisfy this fundamental".

The joint submission calls for the consultation on supervision and discussions about the NHS requirements be brought forward, so that the question of absence can be viewed in its entirety before the proposed Responsible Pharmacist regulations are drafted.

National Pharmacy Association