Hospital Pharmacist
2008;15:35
February 2008

News summary

Responsible pharmacist not workable in hospital pharmacy

Government proposals regarding the “responsible pharmacist” consultation will have implications for hospital pharmacies that supply medicines to other trusts, according to the Guild of Healthcare Pharmacists.

Since the implementation of the NHS and Community Care Act 1991, hospital pharmacies have had to register some (or all) of their department with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, in order to supply drugs legally to other trusts (a registered pharmacy can supply drug products to other trusts by wholesale dealing).

This registration is required for a large trust to supply a smaller trust or mental health trust, or for an aseptic unit to manufacture products for use outside the trust. It also allows the sale of pharmacy medicines to patients.

However, new Government proposals suggest that a responsible pharmacist will need to be present in each registered pharmacy for more than half of the opening hours. The guild argues that in a hospital dispensary, the pharmacist who would be deemed “responsible” is typically a senior pharmacist who cannot remain in the dispensary for this length of time, because of their other duties.

This may lead to hospital pharmacies having to deregister their premises, which could reduce patient services.

The guild’s full response to the consultation is available from www.ghp.org.uk