Fitness for locum duties
Following a recent case before the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s
Infringements Committee, pharmacists are reminded that they should only
accept locum bookings when they are fit to undertake the duties required
of them in those pharmacy premises.
Being fit to practise means that the pharmacist is able to comply with
the key responsibilities of a pharmacist as defined in the Code of Ethics
and that he or she is not under the influence of drugs or alcohol or
suffering from any health problems that may impair his or her ability
to practise safely. Practising when not fit to do so could constitute
professional misconduct.
It is especially important that pharmacists who are not fit to practise
do not allow themselves to be unduly pressured into accepting a booking
by locum agencies desperate to fill a position.
In addition, when considering accepting employment, pharmacists must
reflect on whether the conditions in the pharmacy (for instance, working
hours, work volume, travel times to and from work and the numbers of
trained support staff) will allow them to comply with their key responsibilities. |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal