The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 270 No 7254 p876
21 June 2003

Society summary

An occasional feature, prepared in the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's Professional Standards Directorate, to highlight problems and inquiries currently being handled

Law and Ethics Bulletin, 2001 to present

• Pharmacy staffing levels
• Amended PGD resource pack

Pharmacy staffing levels

Pharmacists are reminded that they should ensure that adequate pharmacy staff and support staff is provided to enable them to work effectively. Distractions in and around the dispensary should be minimised. Staffing levels should reflect the volume and workflow in that particular pharmacy.

Not having adequate staff, particularly at busy periods throughout the day, could adversely affect a pharmacist's ability to practise safely. The Code of Ethics supports this requirement by stating that pharmacists should ensure that they work only in conditions that enable them to comply with the key responsibilities of a pharmacist.

To ensure that they receive a wide-ranging experience of pharmacy practice and adequate training, preregistration trainees should be supernumerary, and not appointed as an extra resource to help in a busy dispensary.

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Amended PGD resource pack

On 4 April 2003 amendments to the Prescription Only Medicines Order were made to allow patient group directions (PGDs) in the private sector as well as in the context of the National Health Service. Supplies of POMs can now be made by named health care professionals on behalf of independent clinics, hospitals and medical agencies, as well as the prison service and police force.

The Society's Professional Standards Directorate has amended its resource pack on PGDs to reflect the changes. The pack contains tools to help those involved in supplying and administering medicines under PGDs as well as those with responsibilities for drawing up and signing them.

The revised pack can be downloaded as a PDF file from the law page of the Society's website. Pharmacists without internet access can obtain a copy by sending a stamped, addressed envelope bearing stamps to the value of 57p to Jo Raffaitin, Pharmacist Adviser, Professional Standards Directorate, Royal Pharmaceutical Society, 1 Lambeth High Street, London SE1 7JN.

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