L13: Responsible Pharmacist

• Responsible Pharmacist


  Pharmacist appointed by the employer, who is responsible for securing the safe and effective running of the pharmacy

  
• Key areas the Responsible Pharmacist law covers

  • Display a notice
  • Pharmacy records
  • Pharmacy procedures
  • Absence from the pharmacy
• Medicines Act 1968

  Concerned with the sale and supply of all medicines
• Other pharmacy activities covered by NHS law

  • Diagnostic testing
  • Smoking cessation
  • Clinical services
• Before 1st October 2009, a pharmacist in personal control of a pharmacy needed to be physically present for supply of P and POM medicines
• After 1st October 2009, the Health Act 2006 amended the Medicines Act 1968 to require a "responsible pharmacist" in charge of each registered pharmacy instead of a pharmacist in "personal control"
• Responsible Pharmacist (RP)


  Pharmacist appointed by the employer, who is responsible for securing the safe and effective running of the pharmacy

  
• If there is more than one pharmacist working in the pharmacy at any one time, only one can be the responsible pharmacist
• A pharmacist cannot be the responsible pharmacist for more than one pharmacy at any one time
• As the second pharmacist in a pharmacy, you are not the irresponsible pharmacist
• What being the responsible pharmacist involves

  • Secure the safe and effective running of the pharmacy, including during periods of absence
  • Display a notice with your name, registration number and the fact that you are in charge of the pharmacy at that time
  • Complete the pharmacy record to identify who the responsible pharmacist is for a pharmacy at any one time
  • Establish, maintain and keep under review procedures for safe working
  • If the pharmacy is not safe or patients are at risk, take steps to secure the safe and effective running of the pharmacy, or close it if necessary
• The notice


  Includes your name, GPhC registration number, and the fact that you are responsible pharmacist in charge of the pharmacy at the time
• When the notice should be displayed

  • If RP is absent from pharmacy but remains the responsible pharmacist (notice should NOT be removed)
  • If the responsible pharmacist changes (notice should change to reflect this)
  • If you are not the responsible pharmacist (no need to display anything)
  • If you are off sick or on holiday (you are not the responsible pharmacist & do not need to display anything)

  
• Information recorded in the pharmacy record

  • Your Name
  • Your GPhC registration number
  • The date and time at which you become the responsible pharmacist
  • The date and time at which you stop being the responsible pharmacist

  
• Information recorded in the pharmacy record for absence

  • The date of absence
  • The time at which you leave the pharmacy
  • The time at which you come back to the pharmacy

  
• The pharmacy owner or superintendent pharmacist must keep the pharmacy record for a period of five years, and failure to complete the record or keep it is a criminal offence
• Requirements for the pharmacy record

  • Be recorded accurately and reflects who was RP at any given time and date
  • If making changes to the paper record, you must initial and date them
  • Any changes to the computer record must show when and by whom the changes were made
  • You must make back ups of the electronic record
  • As good practice, record your reason for absence

  
• Responsible Pharmacist must for pharmacy procedures

  • Establish (if not already established), maintain and review pharmacy procedures
  • Maintain adequate back-ups of the content of pharmacy procedures
  • Ensure procedures are available for inspection
  • Ensure staff understand the procedures
  • Review procedures at least every 2 years or after any incident
  • Identify the RP who reviewed the procedures
  • Identify current and previous procedures
  • Make temporary amendments if necessary
• Absence


  The time during which the responsible pharmacist is away from the registered pharmacy premises while remaining responsible
• Absence rules

  • The RP can be absent for a maximum of 2 hours during the pharmacy's operational hours between midnight and midnight
  • The total period of absence allowed for all RPs in 24 hours must not exceed 2 hours
  • The RP must only be absent if the pharmacy can continue to run safely and effectively
  • The RP must remain contactable, or arrange for another pharmacist to be contactable
• Examples of why the RP might be absent


  • To see patients in a consulting room
  • To participate in a meeting with a GP
  • To visit patients at home or in a care home
  • To participate in CPD
• The only medicines that can be sold in the absence of the responsible pharmacist are GSL medicines, unless there is a second pharmacist
• The responsible pharmacist does not have to be absent from the pharmacy - it is a choice, and they should use their professional judgement

  
• As a matter of good practice, the responsible pharmacist should record their reason for absence, and plan it in advance wherever possible

  
• Working as a locum pharmacist does not pose any differences to the requirements of the responsible pharmacist's legislation and standards
• Not all hospital pharmacy departments are registered pharmacies with the GPhC, only those that choose to operate a retail pharmacy
• If a hospital has a registered pharmacy, the law and standards for responsible pharmacists will apply to that registered pharmacy