RP Flashcards
What is an RP?
A pharmacist must be in charge of a registered pharmacy as the responsible pharmacist, in order to lawfully conduct a retail pharmacy business.
Can there be more than one RP?
- There can only be one RP in charge at any one time
- The pharmacist can only be in charge of one registered premises at any one time.
What will an RP need to do?
- Secure the safe and effective running of the pharmacy
- Display a notice
- Complete the pharmacy record
- Establish, maintain and review pharmacy procedures
Secure the safe and effective running of the pharmacy
- If unsure about anything, clarify with the pharmacy owner, superintendent pharmacist or other delegated person.
- If a RP believes the pharmacy is not safe or patients are at risk then steps should be taken to secure the safe and effective running of the pharmacy. If this is not possible then the pharmacy may need to be closed.
Displaying a notice
- RP is required to display a notice that is clearly visible to patients and the public for as long as she/he is a responsible pharmacist.
What should the noticed displayed by the RP include?
- Name of RP
- GPhC registration number
- The fact that the responsible pharmacist is in charge of the pharmacy at the time
What should happen to the displayed notice in the event of the RP’s temporary absence from the pharmacy?
- If they remain the RP - notice should not be removed even if there is a second pharmacist in the pharmacy.
- However, if the responsible pharmacist changes throughout the day, so should the name and registration number on the notice.
What is the pharmacy record
An important legal document. It shows who the responsible pharmacist is at any given date and at any time.
What format can the pharmacy record be kept in?
- In writing
- Electronically
- Or in both forms
Requirements of pharmacy record
- Recorded accurately
- Reflect RP at any given date and time, including absences
- Needs to be made contemporaneously by the RP
- Entries can be made remotely as long as record complies with all relevant and professional requirements
Electronic records: appropriate measures in place to back it up
Needs to be kept on pharmacy premises available for GPhC inspection as needed
How long is the pharmacy record kept for?
Pharmacy owner/SIP needs to keep the pharmacy record for 5 years at the pharmacy it relates to
What needs to be recorded in the pharmacy record
RP name and GPhC reg no
Date and time at which the pharmacist became the RP
Date and time at which they stopped being the RP
If absent from premises: date, time left, time returned
Pharmacy procedures
A responsible pharmacist must establish, maintain and review the pharmacy procedures in the pharmacy she/he is working in.
What do the pharmacy procedures need to cover
1) Arranagements for obtaining, sorting, and selling of medicinal products.
- retail sale
- delivery (outside of pharmacy)
- safe disposal
2) The circumstances in which a member of staff who isn’t a pharmacist may give advice about a medicinal product
3) Identification of members of staff who are, in view of the RP, competent to perform certain tasks relating to pharmacy business
4) Keeping records about the arrangements
5) Arrangements which are to apply during the absence of the RP from the premises
6) Steps to take when there is a change of RP at premises
7) Procedure that needs to be followed if a complaint is made about the pharmacy business
8) Procedure that needs to be followed if an incident occurs that may indicate the pharmacy business isn’t running in a safe and effective manner
9) The manner in which changes to the pharmacy procedures are to be notified to pharmacy staff
When do the pharmacy procedures need to be reviewed
- Regularly e.g. once every 2 years or following an incident which may indicate the pharmacy isn’t running safely and effectively (e.g. dispensing error)
- Should identify the RP who reviews the procedure, identify which procedures are in place, and which procedures were previously in place
