Who is the GPhC?

• The General Pharmaceutical Council is the regulator for pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and registered pharmacies in England, Scotland and Wales

IMPORTANT: Medicines are not ordinary items of commerce!!!

• This is why there are standards in place to ensure the safe and effective practice of pharmacy

• These include medicines, medicines legislation, health and safety, employment, data protection and equalities legislation.

• We need to ensure we are complying with these SET standards

Who cares? Patients wont know the difference?

• The standards can also be used by patients and the public so that they know what they should expect when they receive pharmacy services from registered pharmacies

So what does that mean???

• It means we can get reported if were doing it wrong!!!!

• Therefore treat each patient professionally regardless of who they are

The Principles

• There are 5 set principles• We will go through each one

Principle 1: The governance arrangements safeguard the health, safety and wellbeing of patients and the public.

• This includes:

•Pharmacy services are provided by staff with clearly defined roles and clear lines of accountability- We should all know our roles, what we can and can not do•Information is managed to protect the privacy, dignity and confidentiality of patients and the public who receive pharmacy services- We should know how to safely keep confidential information hidden from other patients. E.g. no leaning over the counter, no shouting about patients medication•Children and vulnerable adults are safeguarded. - Patients trust us with vulnerable information which they may not wish to share. E.g. Morning after pill request. Please ensure this information is passed over to the pharmacist discreetly

Principle 2: Staff are empowered and competent to safeguard the health, safety and wellbeing of patients and the public.•There is a culture of openness, honesty and learning- Ask for help if needed. If you are unable to do something, ask and learn how to. Do not lie/hide stuff if it goes wrong.•Staff are empowered to provide feedback and raise concerns about meeting these standards and other aspects of pharmacy services- If something is not right, do let others know. Do not forget to document•Incentives or targets do not compromise the health, safety or wellbeing of patients and the public, or the professional judgement of staff.- It’s not always about the money!!! E.g. Don’t tell the patient to come back after the weekend for an owing of antibiotics

Principle 3: The environment and condition of the premises from which pharmacy services are provided, and any associated premises, safeguard the health, safety and wellbeing of patients and the public.•Premises are safe, clean, properly maintained and suitable for the pharmacy services provided- Is the fridge kept up to standard? Acceptable fridge to store medication? Without maintenance it wont be•Premises protect the privacy, dignity and confidentiality of patients and the public who receive pharmacy services- No leaning on the counter, no shouting about patients Anusol cream not being in stock. Consultation room for any counselling E.g. Pessary use•Premises are maintained to a level of hygiene appropriate to the pharmacy services provided- Is the sink kept clean? Do the cylinders still have medication in them from previous use? Is this acceptable to you as a patient? •Premises are secure and safeguarded from unauthorised access- Who is walking in? Where and why? We have visitor log books for a reason!

Principle 4: The way in which pharmacy services, including the management of medicines and medical devices, are delivered safeguards the health, safety and wellbeing of patients and the public.•Medicines and medical devices are stored securely, safeguarded from unauthorised access, supplied to the patient safely, disposed of safely and securely-Correctly put into fridge? CD cupboard? Correct/original container? Doop bin has no sharps and no spilling of liquids? No labels?•Concerns are raised when it is suspected that medicines or medical devices are not fit for purpose.- Medication that has expired? Been used/opened? Think about the safety of the patient

And finally……

Principle 5: The equipment and facilities used in the provision of pharmacy services safeguard the health, safety and wellbeing of patients and the public.•Equipment and facilities are appropriately maintained- Clean fridge, clean sink, clean measuring cylinders. Use the cytotoxic tablet counter for cytotoxic drugs ONLY and vice-versa.

• Remember we carry out a highly professional service for our customers

• Please keep professional and realise the trust that is being put into us by our patients

• Pretend each customer is either you or a close family member

• It’s illegal to drive if either:• You’re unfit to do so because you’re on legal

or illegal drugs• You have certain levels of illegal drugs in your

blood (even if they haven’t affected your driving)

• If they think you’re unfit to drive because of taking drugs, you’ll be arrested and will have to take a blood or urine test at a police station.

• You could be charged with a crime if the test shows you’ve taken drugs.

• So if you have detectable levels of a drug and your not prescribed it and you drive =

• OFFENCE

• If you have detectable levels of a drug PRESCRIBED and it impairs your driving it is again an OFFENCE

• If however it does not affect your driving and you are prescribed it (taking it as directed) , you can raise statutory medical defence

How does it affect us?

• We will need to counsel patients on the following drugs (especially those who drive):

• Amfetamine • Clonazepam• Diazepam• Lorazepam• Oxazepam• Temazepam• Flunitrazepam• Methadone • Morphine

Tell them:• There is new legislation in place which places limits on the

amounts of certain drugs that you can have in your blood stream whilst driving. There is a “medical defence” for those who are taking medicines in line with a healthcare professional’s advice, provided that their driving is not impaired.

• You must not drive if you feel sleepy, dizzy, are unable to concentrate or make decisions, have slowed thinking, or if you experience sight problems.

• Remember that alcohol taken in combination with medicines, even in small amounts can greatly increase the risk of accidents.

• An untreated medical condition may itself cause driving impairment and so it is important that you do not stop taking your medicines.

• Keep some suitable evidence with you when driving to show that you are taking your medicine as prescribed or supplied by a healthcare professional. E.g. repeat slip

• THE END!!!!!-FIN-

Any questions???