The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has published updated guidance for registered pharmacies providing pharmacy services at a distance. The GPhC said this updated guidance was issued “in response to concerns identified relating to unsafe prescribing and supply of medicines online.” There is particular concerns around the prescribing of medicines used for weight-management.
A summary of the updated guidance
The updated guidance emphasises that for high-risk medicines – particularly medicines used for weight-management and medicines requiring physical examination before a prescribing – the prescriber cannot base prescribing decisions on the information provided in an online questionnaire alone. Instead, the prescriber has to independently verify the information the person provides, either through timely two-way communication with the person, accessing the person’s clinical records, or contacting the person’s GP, their regular prescriber, or a third-party provider.
Medicines used for weight-management and medicines requiring physical examination before a prescribing decision is made have been added to the list of high-risk medicines requiring extra safeguards before being prescribed. Before providing medicines for weight-management, the prescriber now has to independently verify the person’s weight, height and/or body mass index.
The standards for registered pharmacies are grouped under five principles:
Principle 1: Governance Arrangements
- Risk Assessment: Pharmacies must conduct and regularly update risk assessments to identify and manage risks associated with distance services.
- Regular Audit: Continuous monitoring and audits ensure the safety and quality of services. Issues identified should be addressed promptly.
- Accountability: Clear lines of accountability and responsibility must be established for all aspects of the service.
- Record Keeping: Accurate records must be maintained to demonstrate safe service provision.
Principle 2: Staff Competence
- Training: All staff, including those working remotely, must be appropriately trained and competent.
- Continuous Improvement: Staff should be involved in regular audits and updates to ensure their skills and knowledge are up-to-date.
Principle 3: Premises and Environment
- Fit for Purpose: The pharmacy premises and any associated premises must meet the required standards for safety and effectiveness.
- Digital Platforms: Websites or apps used for distance selling must be secure, clear, and accurate, with relevant information prominently displayed.
Principle 4: Service Delivery
- Transparency and Choice: Patients must be able to make informed decisions about their care and have the freedom to choose their pharmacy service.
- Managing Medicines Safely: Additional risks associated with distance services must be identified and managed. This includes proper consultation methods and safeguards for certain medicines.
- Supplying Medicines: Safe and effective delivery methods must be in place, and patients should have the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback.
Principle 5: Equipment and Facilities
- Specialist Equipment: Pharmacies must ensure that their equipment and facilities, including digital systems, are secure, accurate, and fit for purpose.
- Maintenance and Continuity: Regular maintenance and service of equipment are essential, along with robust business continuity plans to handle potential disruptions.
What you should do
- The GPhC is writing to pharmacy owners, Superintendent Pharmacists, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to ask them to review the updated guidance and make sure they are following it if they are providing any pharmacy services at a distance, including from an online pharmacy.
- Online pharmacy owners and Superintendent Pharmacists are expected to review the updated guidance and make any changes needed to their online pharmacy’s operations, processes and digital platforms at the earliest opportunity. The guidance also applies to everyone in the pharmacy team, including managers with delegated responsibility, the Responsible Pharmacist and any pharmacists prescribing at a distance.
GPhC Sanctions
GPhC inspectors will continue to inspect online pharmacies and will be looking for evidence that pharmacies are meeting our standards. Not taking the appropriate steps to meet our standards could result in the GPhC taking enforcement action.
If pharmacies do not adhere to guidance standards set by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), potential sanctions can include: improvement notices, suspension or removal of the pharmacy premises from the register, warnings, conditional registration, suspension of the pharmacist’s licence, and in severe cases, criminal prosecution; all depending on the severity of the breach and the specific circumstances involved.
Our Services
Disclaimer: This article is for guidance purposes only. Kings View Chambers accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever for any action taken, or not taken, in relation to this article. You should seek the appropriate legal advice having regard to your own particular circumstances.
