Take part in a government consultation

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) is consulting on behalf of the four UK Health Departments on two draft orders:

• The draft Pharmacy (Preparation and Dispensing Errors – Hospitals and Other Pharmacy Services) Order 2018 
• The draft Pharmacy (Responsible Pharmacists, Superintendent Pharmacists etc.) Order 2018

The first draft order seeks to extend defences that already exist for pharmacy professionals working at or from registered pharmacies in the case of accidental preparation and dispensing errors. It would cover pharmacy professionals working in hospitals and other relevant pharmacy services.

The second draft order seeks to clarify and strengthen the arrangements of registered pharmacies concerning how they are governed. Specifically, it makes the roles of responsible pharmacists and superintendent pharmacists clear in primary legislation.

The consultation is open until 11 September 2018. You can read the full proposals and respond via the DHSC consultation website.

Duncan Rudkin, GPhC Chief Executive, commented: "This UK-wide consultation includes a number of significant proposals. We would encourage all those working across the pharmacy sector, as well as patients and the public, to take part in the consultation and help shape the final legislation."

“It is important that defences for dispensing errors are extended to pharmacists and pharmacy technicians working in hospitals and other specified settings at the earliest possible opportunity, and the launch of the consultation is a step towards that.

“We also very much welcome the debate about the best way to strengthen the legal framework around important roles of superintendents and responsible pharmacists.”

“We will be responding to the consultation in due course after discussing the proposals with our Council.”