Published: 15/02/24

We are now in the final two weeks before the DHSC Pharmacy Supervision consultation closes, and now is the time to get those all-important consultation responses submitted!

So, we thought we would provide some more information around the CPS response and the alternative proposals we have set out. 

We believe that proposal one should be as enabling as safely possible, whereby amending the primary legislation to allow the profession to test new ways of working whilst still having the (more flexible) safeguards of regulation in place.  

Specifically, we believe that the preparation and assembly of P and POM medications can be safely carried out from a registered pharmacy premises, without requiring supervision by a Responsible Pharmacist (RP) or an authorised Pharmacy Technician. By utilising experienced, qualified, and competent members of the dispensing team, this will allow the technical aspect of prescription preparation to continue, up until the accuracy and clinical check must be undertaken, whilst freeing up pharmacy professionals time to focus on the delivery of clinical services. This proposed mechanism will therefore rely more on safe systems such as the environment, technology, training, conditions, and SOPs in the community pharmacy setting, rather than heavily relying on the presence of another individual. 

We believe the flexibility to harness this way of working will uphold patient safety through regulations and guidance set out by the regulator (GPhC) and professional body (RPS), which will be produced following legislative changes. We also propose that superintendents and pharmacy owners that choose to work in this way would bear the responsibility for these elements of dispensing. 

This is an exciting and rare opportunity to get involved with making changes to primary legislation which can help to set community pharmacy on the path to success for future service delivery. Have your say and respond to the consultation here!

Be quick though, as the consultation closes on the 29th of February.