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Delaying the Responsible Pharmacist Regulations

Two weeks ago the PDA established a membership survey to assess how pharmacists felt about the impending October 1st RP implementation deadline. Already more than 2,500 pharmacists have responded providing some worrying statistics. 93% of those responding to the survey have stated that the profession will simply not be ready.

Mon 27th July 2009 The PDA

Two weeks ago the PDA established a membership survey to assess how pharmacists felt about the impending October 1st RP implementation deadline. Already more than 2,500 pharmacists have responded providing some worrying statistics.

93% of those responding to the survey have stated that the profession will simply not be ready.

As a consequence a petition was established on July 18th inviting pharmacists to join a call to delay the implementation of the regulations. In just over one week, this petition has already attracted more than 2,500 signatures.

The momentum to delay these regulations is now significant. The PDA has argued that the delay needs to be adopted for three specific reasons;

  1. The regulations have not taken into account what will happen when an RP takes a rest break and signs off – they need to be redrafted to take into account Health and Safety and employment legislation.
  2. The requisite training has not been put in place and neither will it be in place by October 1st.
  3. Fundamental changes to regulations governing pharmacy introducing brand new professional and criminal offences for pharmacists should not be implemented in the middle of a national swine flu pandemic.

Mark Koziol PDA Chairman says;

“Such is the unpreparedness for these regulations within the profession that we are calling for a delay in their implementation. We have sought an urgent formal meeting with Department of Health officials to discuss this and we are also currently in the process of arranging a series of meetings with influential members of Parliament. This is now turning into a serious public interest issue. In light of the Elizabeth Lee case, it is unsurprising that pharmacists will tend not to want to expose themselves to the risks that come with such a change if it is made without the benefit of preparation. Our survey shows that 22% of respondents have stated that they will either not work for the first few weeks of October until they can assess how the dust settles, or alternatively, that October the 1st will be their official retirement date.”

He added;

“The RPSGB’s position is that it currently supports the implementation of these regulations and we have been at pains to ask it to change its position. We call upon the Society to wake up to this issue as it is one that is causing much anguish within the profession and threatens to cause much frustration and confusion amongst the public.”

The PDA appeals to those pharmacists who have not yet done so to participate in the survey and also to sign the petition.

  • Survey: http://www.the-pda.org
  • Petition: http://www.gopetition.com/online/29439.html

ENDS

Enquiries about this Press Release should be addressed to;

Mark Koziol:      0121 694 7000

mark.koziol@the-pda.org

John Murphy:     0121 694 7000

john.murphy@the-pda.org

The Pharmacists' Defence Association is a company limited by guarantee. Registered in England; Company No 4746656.

The Pharmacists' Defence Association is an appointed representative in respect of insurance mediation activities only of
The Pharmacy Insurance Agency Limited which is registered in England and Wales under company number 2591975
and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Register No 307063)

The PDA Union is recognised by the Certification Officer as an independent trade union.

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