Helen Potter, pharmacist adviser, Professional Standards Directorate, Royal Pharmaceutical Society, replies:

The new Code of Ethics does not specify the equipment required in pharmacy premises. However pharmacists and pharmacy owners are required by the Code of Ethics to ensure the requisite facilities, equipment and materials are accessible to enable the provision of professional services. The public is entitled to expect that products extemporaneously prepared in a pharmacy will be prepared accurately, suitable for use and meet accepted standards for quality assurance.

Any pharmacist wishing to be involved in extemporaneous preparation must ensure they, or any other staff, are competent to undertake such tasks and they have access to resources and equipment required to enable the pharmacist to be satisfied that the product supplied is of the standard expected by the patient and the prescriber.