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The Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA) has advised its member to check their understanding of what activities can legitimately take place when no RP is signed in at the pharmacy or the absence provisions are used. The advisory to its member was followed after noticing a considerable talk on social media about compliance with the Responsible Pharmacist (RP) regulations which also included unauthorised activity occurring when no RP is signed in. "There have been comments made that some pharmacists and pharmacy team members may fear repercussions from challenging or whistle-blowing about such behaviour," PDA said. "To assist members with the interpretation of the RP regulations, the PDA has made available a legal briefing note about the RP regulations produced by a specialist pharmacy regulation law firm." It further added: "Non-compliance with the regulations by pharmacy teams should be reported to the pharmacy superintendent."

The government's formal consultation on pharmacy supervision, which closes today (29 February), leaves important questions unanswered, the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has warned. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) proposals are to: enable pharmacists to authorise pharmacy technicians to carry out, or supervise others carrying out, the preparation, assembly, dispensing, sale and supply of medicines enable pharmacists to authorise any member of the pharmacy team to hand out checked and bagged prescriptions in the absence of a pharmacist allow pharmacy technicians to take primary responsibility for the preparation, assembly and dispensing of medicinal products in hospital aseptic facilities In its formal response to the consultation, the NPA acknowledged that modernisation of the regulations is long overdue, including enabling non-pharmacist members of the pharmacy team to hand out checked and bagged prescriptions.