The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 272 No 7286 p177
14 February 2004

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News summary

Seven north-east London PCT chiefs support moves to increase pharmacy security

Seven primary care trust chief executives in north-east London are supporting moves to improve the security of community pharmacies in their areas.

The chief executives and Hemant Patel, secretary to North East London Local Pharmaceutical Committee, say in a letter sent to pharmacy contractors that a consensus has been reached between them on issues where support and assistance can be provided.

The involvement of the PCTs follows concern about an increasing number of violent attacks on pharmacists and their staff in the area (PJ, 3/10 January, p6).

Schemes to be pursued to improve workplace safety include:

• A “fast fax” arrangement between pharmacies and local police stations to improve response times
• Extension of zero-tolerance campaigns and funding to pharmacies
• Training programmes for pharmacy staff
• Crime prevention officers to speak at pharmacy forums
• Details of counselling services to be circulated
• Discussions with local councils about closed-circuit television camera coverage