http://www.the-pda.org/ The latest articles from the Pharmacists' Defence Association en 1440 Copyright © 2010, The Pharmacists' Defence Association enquiry@the-pda.org (The PDA) enquiry@the-pda.org (The PDA) http://www.the-pda.org/images/pda-logo.png http://www.the-pda.org/ http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_insight1.html?id=2571 It shouldn't surprise me that some senior hospital pharmacy managers continue to explain to hospital pharmacists that they need not join the PDA; 'Don't worry, the Trust's vicarious liability will cover you all' they say. Insight Articles The PDA Insight - Summer 2010 Hospital Edition 2010-07-22T23:00:00Z http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_insight1.html?id=2571 http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_insight1.html?id=2572 The supervision arrangements in hospital pharmacy are different from those in community pharmacy and there are some very good reasons for this. Insight Articles The PDA Insight - Summer 2010 Hospital Edition 2010-07-22T23:00:00Z http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_insight1.html?id=2572 http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_insight1.html?id=2573 From 2011, membership of the RPSGB will become voluntary leaving pharmacists to effectively vote with their feet. Insight Articles The PDA Insight - Summer 2010 Hospital Edition 2010-07-22T23:00:00Z http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_insight1.html?id=2573 http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_insight1.html?id=2574 Why hospitals should be exempted from the Responsible Pharmacist regulations Insight Articles The PDA Insight - Summer 2010 Hospital Edition 2010-07-22T23:00:00Z http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_insight1.html?id=2574 http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_insight1.html?id=2471 It shouldn't surprise me that some large employers expend considerable energy in trying to persuade their employees that they need not join the PDA; perhaps they feel threatened by our operations! Insight Articles The PDA Insight - Summer 2010 Community Edition 2010-07-16T23:00:00Z http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_insight1.html?id=2471 http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_insight1.html?id=2472 In December 2009, the PDA's Stop Remote Supervision (SRS) campaign went up a gear when we backed a group of RPSGB leadership election candidates. We thank all those PDA members that supported our call to action. Insight Articles The PDA Insight - Summer 2010 Community Edition 2010-07-16T23:00:00Z http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_insight1.html?id=2472 http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_insight1.html?id=2491 In its submission to the GPhC regarding the rules that it will be using when it begins to regulate, the PDA was critical of the current investigation processes used by the RPSGB and the hearings of RPSGB Disciplinary Committee calling them "unnecessarily time consuming, cumbersome and costly". Insight Articles The PDA Insight - Summer 2010 Community Edition 2010-07-16T23:00:00Z http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_insight1.html?id=2491 http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_insight1.html?id=2494 As membership of the PDA continues to grow, more and more cases are being handled in Scotland and as a consequence, the PDA has now opened an office in Edinburgh. Insight Articles The PDA Insight - Summer 2010 Community Edition 2010-07-16T23:00:00Z http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_insight1.html?id=2494 http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_insight1.html?id=2493 New regulations which came into force in April of this year entitle employees with at least 26 weeks' continuous service to ask their employers for unpaid time off work to undertake study or training. Insight Articles The PDA Insight - Summer 2010 Community Edition 2010-07-16T23:00:00Z http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_insight1.html?id=2493 http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_insight1.html?id=2492 The use of medication error logs is widespread and encouraged by the PDA as supporting good practice and in line with the principles of clinical governance. These logs are used for a variety of reasons, but ultimately, they are a very good risk management tool. Insight Articles The PDA Insight - Summer 2010 Community Edition 2010-07-16T23:00:00Z http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_insight1.html?id=2492 http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_insight1.html?id=2495 In its recent submission to a GPhC consultation on standards the PDA called for the GPhC to register non-pharmacist managers and directors of pharmacy companies in the future so that they could be struck off if their decisions harmed patients. Insight Articles The PDA Insight - Summer 2010 Community Edition 2010-07-16T23:00:00Z http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_insight1.html?id=2495 http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_insight1.html?id=2531 The practice that has developed in the last decade for the Police to use the 1968 Medicines Act to prosecute pharmacists once gross negligence manslaughter was excluded was a trend that the PDA was determined to stop, when Elizabeth Lee faced her initial trial in April 2009. Insight Articles The PDA Insight - Summer 2010 Community Edition 2010-07-16T23:00:00Z http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_insight1.html?id=2531 http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_insight1.html?id=2552 The PDA Union has been pleased with the progress of its development over the past year, John Murphy, General Secretary announced at the recent AGM in Birmingham on 4th June. Insight Articles The PDA Insight - Summer 2010 Community Edition 2010-07-16T23:00:00Z http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_insight1.html?id=2552 http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_insight1.html?id=2559 100 years ago, if you were a pharmacist, then you were likely to be an owner of a pharmacy and consequently in business in your own right as a pharmacist. Insight Articles The PDA Insight - Summer 2010 Community Edition 2010-07-16T23:00:00Z http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_insight1.html?id=2559 http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_insight1.html?id=2558 In January 2010, Alliance Boots announced that it proposed to cease accrual of benefits under the defined benefits (final salary) pension scheme with benefits from that scheme (reflecting salaries and length of service at the date of closure of the scheme) being transferred to a new employer. Insight Articles The PDA Insight - Summer 2010 Community Edition 2010-07-16T23:00:00Z http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_insight1.html?id=2558 http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_insight1.html?id=2557 Many of the enquiries that we deal with involve members alleging that they have been unfairly dismissed, however proving this is difficult as the system is very much stacked in the employer's favour. Insight Articles The PDA Insight - Summer 2010 Community Edition 2010-07-16T23:00:00Z http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_insight1.html?id=2557 http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_insight1.html?id=2556 The PDA recalls numerous meetings going back over several years with senior RPSGB officials, prior to spring 2009, where it tried to push the Society into acting on workplace pressures faced by pharmacists. Insight Articles The PDA Insight - Summer 2010 Community Edition 2010-07-16T23:00:00Z http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_insight1.html?id=2556 http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_insight1.html?id=2555 The PDA set up PDA Plus, our PDA member exclusive benefits package, so as to find a range of services that would save our members money and others that would be highly valued because they are complementary to pharmacists' professional and work related needs. Insight Articles The PDA Insight - Summer 2010 Community Edition 2010-07-16T23:00:00Z http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_insight1.html?id=2555 http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_insight1.html?id=2554 The revenue generated by MURs has become a very important and substantial source of revenue for some large organisations especially with Category M income falling. Insight Articles The PDA Insight - Summer 2010 Community Edition 2010-07-16T23:00:00Z http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_insight1.html?id=2554 http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_insight1.html?id=2553 How can we justify this nonsense as being in the public interest? Insight Articles The PDA Insight - Summer 2010 Community Edition 2010-07-16T23:00:00Z http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_insight1.html?id=2553 http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_insight1.html?id=2551 On 21st of June 2010, just 26 days after the Elizabeth Lee Appeal Court hearing, the Crown Prosecution Service published its dispensing error guidance to prosecutors. Insight Articles The PDA Insight - Summer 2010 Community Edition 2010-07-16T23:00:00Z http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_insight1.html?id=2551 http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_insight1.html?id=2511 Since the Responsible Pharmacist (RP) Regulations came into effect on 1st October 2009, pharmacists have been struggling to come to terms with their new legislative and professional responsibilities. Insight Articles The PDA Insight - Summer 2010 Community Edition 2010-07-16T23:00:00Z http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_insight1.html?id=2511 http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_topical_news1.html?id=2451 Boots refusal to allow members to 'reserve their rights' as part of the application process into the new pension scheme gives rise to new advice from the PDA which may require members to take urgent action. Latest News The PDA PDA Union 2010-06-21T23:00:00Z http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_topical_news1.html?id=2451 http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_press_releases1.html?id=2412 PDA Union is critical of Alliance Boots Pension Scheme changes and writes to Executive Chairman expressing concerns. Press Releases The PDA PDA Union 2010-06-15T23:00:00Z http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_press_releases1.html?id=2412 http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_press_releases1.html?id=2391 PDA calls for a fundamental change in direction in its response to General Pharmaceutical Council Revised Draft Standards Press Releases The PDA The PDA 2010-06-14T23:00:00Z http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_press_releases1.html?id=2391 http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_press_releases1.html?id=2371 The PDA Union raises concerns with the Crown Prosecution Service and the Department of Health over Elizabeth Lee case. Press Releases The PDA The PDA 2010-06-01T23:00:00Z http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_press_releases1.html?id=2371 http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_topical_news1.html?id=2331 The PDA has received a number of queries from locums being asked to sign a 'Contract for Services' to secure work at a Co-operative Pharmacy. This article analyses and advises pharmacists on the contract and their options. Latest News The PDA The PDA 2010-04-22T23:00:00Z http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_topical_news1.html?id=2331 http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_press_releases1.html?id=2311 PDA press release regarding remote supervision. Press Releases The PDA The PDA 2010-04-11T23:00:00Z http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_press_releases1.html?id=2311 http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_topical_news1.html?id=2250 If you are an Alliance Boots Pharmacist Employee, please read the important information below. Latest News The PDA The PDA Union 2010-02-04T00:00:00Z http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_topical_news1.html?id=2250 http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_press_releases1.html?id=2230 PDA press release following the results of the RPSGB Board Elections. Press Releases The PDA The PDA 2010-01-26T00:00:00Z http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_press_releases1.html?id=2230 http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_topical_news1.html?id=2170 Tesco's are consulting with pharmacists to change their working patterns so as they can satisfy their Working Time Regulations obligations. But should they be allowed to change contractual hours to satisfy the WTRs if a memeber is disadvantaged by the change? Latest News The PDA The PDA 2009-11-13T00:00:00Z http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_topical_news1.html?id=2170 http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_topical_news1.html?id=2070 Superdrug are in the process of implementing a new employment contract for all pharmacists. They have been 'in consultation' for some months but only now is the grim reality dawning on members when they are being asked to sign it or risk dismissal. PDA explore the employees options in this article Latest News The PDA The PDA 2009-09-29T23:00:00Z http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_topical_news1.html?id=2070 http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_topical_news1.html?id=2090 Protecting the employment rights of pharmacists will be pivotal to the work of the PDA Union. Latest News The PDA The PDA 2009-09-29T23:00:00Z http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_topical_news1.html?id=2090 http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_topical_news1.html?id=2110 During a series of meetings last autumn and spring, the concerns of the PDA about the unworkable proposals contained in the RP regulations were consistently raised with the RPSGB. We expected that these would be dealt with in the Society's RP toolkit when this became available. Latest News The PDA Mark Koziol - PDA Chairman 2009-09-28T23:00:00Z http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_topical_news1.html?id=2110 http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_press_releases1.html?id=2050 In August, the PDA made formal representations to the Department of Health (DoH) about the unpreparedness of the profession with regards to the new Responsible Pharmacist (RP) regulations. Press Releases The PDA The PDA 2009-09-13T23:00:00Z http://www.the-pda.org/newsviews/nv_press_releases1.html?id=2050