NEWS


cPd Portal noW oPEn for SUBMISSIonS


the portal for online cPd submission is now open, and will remain open until midnight on 31 May 2018.


completed cycle entries can now be transferred into your cPd portfolio for 2017/18 and submitted any time during this two-month period.


for more information visit: www.psni.org.uk/cpd-resources


PharMacIStS SaY BaSIc SafEtY StandardS arE not BEIng MEt


the Pharmacists’ defence association (Pda) has released survey results that show seven basic standards of pharmacy safety are regularly not being met and is demanding action to protect patients, pharmacists and the tax payer.


the Pda is concerned that, while pharmacies are allowed to fail to meet these standards, it is pharmacists who are keeping patients safe by putting themselves into unsafe working conditions which places hard working health professionals and their careers into unreasonable levels of stress and risk.


around 2,000 pharmacists responded to the survey, which focused on issues such as safe staffing, adequate rest, physical safety and self checking.


follow-up analysis showed significant concerns such as more than half of respondents saying that they had adequate rest or were able to raise concerns less than half of the time.


‘We are disappointed that we have even had to produce a charter of such basic standards,’ said alima Batchelor, head of Policy at Pda, ‘but these survey results and feedback from pharmacists shows why it was needed.


our members are passionate about patient safety however these standards are not something they can directly control, employers need to do more and the regulators need to make sure that they do.’


4 - PharMacY In focUS


new legal defence for dispensing errors now law


community pharmacists, who inadvertently make a dispensing error, now have a new defence from criminal prosecution. the Pharmacy (Preparation and dispensing Errors — registered Pharmacies) order 2018, which became law on 16 april, is designed to lead to improved patient safety through increased learning associated with a higher level of reporting.


the order had been laid before Parliament on 14 november 2017, more than ten years after the royal Pharmaceutical Society council had officially begun the process of trying to decriminalise dispensing errors in 2006.


‘It gives me great pleasure,’ said ken Jarrold, chair of the rebalancing Medicines legislation and Pharmacy


regulation Programme Board, ‘that from 16 april 2018, registered pharmacy professionals will be able to make use of new defences in the event of inadvertent preparation and dispensing errors in registered pharmacies. these new defences, combined with existing defences in the Medicines act, will encourage the reporting of errors without fear of prosecution.


‘I know that professional and representative bodies are doing some great work to improve reporting amongst the professions, which combined with the change in law will surely lead to improved patient safety through increased learning associated with a higher level of reporting. this is a great success for the Board, but it is important that pharmacy


professionals working in other settings should also be able to make use of these new defences. that is why the government will shortly be consulting on similar proposals to extend these defences to pharmacy professionals working in hospitals and other pharmacy services. the consultation will also include proposals to clarify the roles of responsible Pharmacists and Superintendent Pharmacists and I encourage the pharmacy community to engage with the consultation to ensure that we have got it right.’


(a copy of the Pharmacy (Preparation and dispensing Errors – registered Pharmacies) order 2018 can be viewed on the legislation.gov website at: http://www.legislation.gov.uk /uksi/2018/181/contents/made)


trade fair date announced


the cosmetic association was formed almost 30 years ago to offer the pharmacy sector a one-stop-shop for their christmas trade.


as the years went by, exhibitors took the opportunity of introducing new brands at the trade fair and this was a welcome addition. for buyers to


see a full stand of cosmetics, or a display of perfumes, or a range of jewellery or a display of wrapping/bags, in one day, and in one place, is a huge benefit.


this year, the association’s trade fair takes place at the rdS, Ballsbridge, dublin, on 20, 21 and 22 May in the


Main hall and hall 3. registration is available at the door. Buyers will receive a voucher for tea/coffee and a pastry to get them started, and a full brochure with floor plan and space to make notes as they go.


for more information, visit cosmeticassociation.ie


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