Responsible Pharmacist

Question 1

What must the Responsible pharmacist do?

Answer 1

1) Secure the safe and effective running of the pharmacy.
2) Display a notice.
3) Complete the pharmacy record.
4) Establish, maintain and review pharmacy procedures.

Question 2

What does the notice the Responsible Pharmacist has to display include?

Answer 2

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

Question 3

True or False - If the Responsible Pharmacist is absent from the pharmacy (but still remains the RP) the notice should be removed.

Answer 3

False - it should not be removed even if there is a 2nd pharmacist present.

Question 4

True or False - If the Responsible Pharmacist changes throughout the day, a new notice should be displayed.

Answer 4

True - it should bear the details of the new RP.

Question 5

What does the pharmacy record show?

Answer 5

Who the Responsible Pharmacist is at any given date and time - it’s a legal document.

Question 6

What information must be recorded in the pharmacy record?

Answer 6

• The Responsible Pharmacist’s name
• The RP’s GPhC registration number
• The date and time at which the pharmacist became the RP

If becoming absent from the premises:
- The date of the absence

• The time which the RP left the premises
• The time at which the RP returned to the premises

Question 7

How long must the pharmacy record be kept?

Answer 7

5 years

Question 8

Under Regulation 4 of The Medicines (Pharmacies) (Responsible Pharmacist) Regulation 2008, what must be outlined in the pharmacy procedures?

Answer 8

1) The arrangements to secure that medicinal products are: ordered, stored, prepared, sold by retail, supplied in circumstances corresponding to retail sale, delivered outside the pharmacy and disposed of in a safe and effective manner.
2) The circumstances in which a member of staff who is not a pharmacist may give advice about medicinal products.
3) The identification of members of staff who are in the view of the RP competent to perform certain tasks relating to the pharmacy business.
4) The keeping of records about the arrangements.
5) The arrangements which are to apply during the absence of the RP from the premises.
6) The steps to be taken when there is a change in RP.
7) The procedure to be followed if a complaint is made about the pharmacy.
8) The procedure to be followed if an incident occurs which may indicate that the pharmacy is not running in a safe and effective manner.
9) The manner in which changes to the procedures are to be notified to pharmacy staff.

Question 9

How long can the Responsible Pharmacist be absent from the pharmacy?

Answer 9

Max. 2 hours during the business hours between midnight and midnight.

Question 10

True or False - If there is more than 1 Responsible Pharmacist in charge of the pharmacy during the business hours, each pharmacist has a maximum of 2 hours to be absent from the premises.

Answer 10

False - the total period of absence for all the Responsible Pharmacists must not exceed 2 hours.

Question 11

If the Responsible Pharmacist is absent from the premises, what arrangements must be put in place?

Answer 11

• Only be absent if the pharmacy can continue to run safely and effectively.
• Remain contactable with the pharmacy staff, where this is reasonably practical and are able to return with reasonable promptness.
• If the RP cannot remain contactable and return with reasonable promptness, he/she must arrange for another pharmacist to be contactable and available to provide advice.

Question 12

True or False - GSL medicines can be sold with the Responsible Pharmacist being absent from the premises.

Answer 12

True.

Question 13

True or False - P medicines can be sold with the Responsible Pharmacist being absent from the premises.

Answer 13

False - the physical presence of the pharmacist is required to be able to advise and intervene.

Question 14

True or False - Prescriptions can be professionally checked (clinical and legal check) without the Responsible Pharmacist being present.

Answer 14

False - presence is required by law.

Question 15

True or False - Supply of POMs via prescriptions already dispensed and checked by the pharmacist cannot be handed out to patient’s if the Responsible Pharmacist is absent from the premises.

Answer 15

True - the physical presence of the pharmacist is required to be able to advise and intervene.

Question 16

True or False - The assembly of a prescription (including accuracy check) can take place in the absence of the Responsible Pharmacist.

Answer 16

True - although suitable staff should be left to complete this only.

Question 17

True or False - Processing waste stock medicines or patient returned medicines can take place in the absence of the Responsible Pharmacist.

Answer 17

True - must be completed by trained staff under the SOP.