The Responsible Pharmacist Flashcards
True or False: It is good practice for a retail pharmacy to have a named responsible pharmacist on duty when the pharmacy is open.
False. It is a legal requirement.
What is the definition of a responsible pharmacist?
A pharmacist who is responsible for securing the safe and effective running of the pharmacy.
Is the pharmacist still a responsible pharmacist during periods of absence from the pharmacy?
Yes.
True or False: If there are 2 pharmacists working in a pharmacy, both are responsible pharmacists.
False. Only one pharmacist is the responsible pharmacist.
Can a pharmacist be the responsible pharmacist in more than 1 pharmacy?
No unless it is authorised by the Secretary of State in the case of an emergency or pandemic.
What are the 4 main points of being a responsible pharmacist?
- Safe and effective running during periods of absence
- Display a notice of details of who the pharmacist is
- Pharmacy record for who responsible pharmacist is at one time
- Procedures for safe working
What is the maximum amount of time a responsible pharmacist can be absent from a pharmacy?
2 hours.
(from midnight to midnight)
If a pharmacist is absent from the pharmacy, what conditions must be met for them to be absent?
- The pharmacy can run safe and effectively
- Remain contactable
- Return with ‘reasonable promptness’ if necessary
What happens if you need to be absent from a pharmacy and you are not able to be contactable?
You can arrange another pharmacist to be contactable but you will still remain the responsible pharmacist.
Give some examples to when a pharmacist may be absent from a pharmacy?
- Attend a meeting
- Visit patient
- Attend training event
-> will still need to remain contactable so may be disturbed
How do you know when the right time is to be absent from the pharmacy?
Use own professional judgement.
- Best not to go during busy periods.
- Absence starts and ends at the pharmacy so have to also consider travel time (traffic).
What happens to the sale of medicines when a pharmacist is absent?
- GSL medicines can still be sold
- P medicines cannot be sold
What happens to prescriptions if a pharmacist is absent from the pharmacy?
- Prescriptions can be taken in
- Dispensed/bagged prescriptions cannot be handed out without the supervision of a pharmacist
Why can GSL medicines be sold in the absence of a pharmacist in a pharmacy?
- They can be sold in retail stores were pharmacists aren’t present.
- Staff are trained and can provide advice.
What must legally be stated on a display notice?
- Pharmacist’s name
- GPhC number
- The pharmacist is in charge of the pharmacy at this time
Where must a display notice be placed?
Where it is clear for the public to see.
True or False: A display notice should not be displayed when a responsible pharmacist is absent from the pharmacy.
False. They are still the responsible pharmacist so it must still be displayed.
A pharmacy record must legally include what?
- Pharmacist’s name
- Their GPhC number
- The date and time at which they became the responsible pharmacist
- The date and time of when they stopped being the responsible pharmacist
- If absent, the date of absence, and the time of when they left and returned.
How long must a pharmacy record be kept for and by who?
For 5 years by the pharmacy manager.
True or False: The pharmacy record does not need to be available for inspection.
False. It must be available for inspection.
Should a pharmacy record be paper or electronic?
It can be either or both.
Is the pharmacy record a legal document or filled out for good practice?
Legal document.
Does the reason of absence on a pharmacy record need to be noted?
No but it is good practice.
Can you make amendments on a pharmacy record?
Yes but you should date and sign it.
-> good practice
