The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 277 No 7420 p408
30 September 2006

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

Notification of errors

In the light of several cases being brought before the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's Infringements Committee, pharmacists are reminded that where an error occurs and the subsequent completion of an error log is made by someone other than the person who made the mistake, it is essential that the pharmacist responsible for the error is notified.

(Maintaining an error log is a good practice requirement and should be included in pharmacies’ standard operating procedures.)

This is important so that the pharmacist responsible can take necessary corrective steps to prevent a reoccurrence of the error and can examine his or her current working practices or personal standard operating procedures to identify areas that may require attention and need strengthening. Notification to the pharmacist responsible will also highlight training requirements which should then be duly addressed and will provide the opportunity for professional development. This requirement applies equally to employee and locum pharmacists.