Responsible Pharmacist

Question 1

What does being a Responsible Pharmacist involve?

Answer 1

• . Securing the safe and effective running of the pharmacy
• Displaying a notice
• Completing a pharmacy record
• Establishing, maintaining and reviewing pharmacy procedures

Question 2

What should be included on a Responsible Pharmacist Notice?

Answer 2

• . The name of the responsible pharmacist
• The GPhC registration number
• The fact that the responsible pharmacist is in charge of the pharmacy at the time

Question 3

True or False

RP absent but still the RP, do not remove display notice

Answer 3

True

Question 4

True or False

RP changes throughout the day, change the name and registration number on notice

Answer 4

True

Question 5

What does the pharmacy record show?

Answer 5

• Who the RP is at any given day and time (including absences)

Question 6

What formats can the Pharmacy Record be kept in?

Answer 6

• In writing
• Electronically
• Both

Question 7

True or False

The pharmacy record should be kept on the pharmacy premises, available for GPhC inspection if required

Answer 7

True

Question 8

Which details should be recorded in the pharmacy record?

Answer 8

•	The RP name
•	The RP registration number
•	The date and time became RP
•	The date and time stopped being RP
•	If absent
      o	Date
      o	Time left
      o	Time returned

Question 9

How long should the pharmacy owner or superintendent pharmacist keep the pharmacy record? Where should it be kept?

Answer 9

• 5 years

* It must be available at the pharmacy to which it relates to

Question 10

How can pharmacy procedures be kept in the pharmacy?

Answer 10

• In writing
• Electronically
• Both

Question 11

The pharmacy procedure should:

Answer 11

• Be available for inspection

* Reviewed regularly

Question 12

When should the pharmacy procedure be reviewed?

Answer 12

• Once every 2 years

* If an incident occurs

Question 13

How long does legislation allow the RP to be absent during pharmacy business hours (midnight-midnight)?

Answer 13

• Maximum of 2 hours (total period for all the RPs)

Question 14

What arrangements must be in place, if the RP must be absent?

Answer 14

• Pharmacy can continue to run safely and effectively
• RP remains contactable and able to return with reasonable promptness
o If not arrange for another pharmacist to be contactable and available to provide advice

Question 15

Which activities require a RP physically present?

Answer 15

• Professional check (clinical & legal)
• Sale/Supply of pharmacy medicines – advise and intervene
• Sale/Supply of POMs (handling dispensed medicines to patient/rep/delivery person
• Supply of medicines under a PGD
• Wholesale of medicines
• Emergency supply at the request of patient/healthcare professional

Question 16

Which activities do not require RP’s physical presence?

Answer 16

• Assembly process (including MDS)
o Generating and dispensing label
o Taking medicines off the dispensary shelves
o Assembly of the item (counting tablets)
o Labelling of containers
o Accuracy checking
• Pharmacy support staff may continue to carry out activities

Question 17

Which activities do not require supervision of a pharmacist, RP must be in charge?

Answer 17

• Sale of GSL meds

* Processing waste stock meds or patient returned meds (excluding CDs)

Question 18

Which activities can take place without RP in charge?

Answer 18

• Ordering stock from wholesalers
• Receiving stock from wholesalers (excluding CDs)
• Putting medicinal stock away onto pharmacy shelves (GSL, P, POMs, excluding CDs)
• Date checking (excluding CDs)
• Stocking pharmacy with consumables
• Cleaning of the pharmacy
• Responding to enquiries (about medicine issues)
• Accessing PMR
• Receiving prescription from EPS/surgery
• Processing prescription forms that have been dispensed
• Delivery person conveying medicines to patient
• Receiving patient returns (excluding CDs)