Under the Pharmacy Order 2010, pharmacists are required to have indemnity arrangements that are suitable for the nature and extent of the risks associated with their work.
As pharmacy practice continues to evolve, the indemnity arrangements become more complex as pharmacists are increasingly delivering a wider range of clinical services, including prescribing, vaccinations and other patient-facing interventions. The GPhC recognises that indemnity can be a complex matter and emphasises that pharmacists should regularly review and seek advice as to whether their indemnity arrangements remain appropriate for the services they provide and the settings in which they practise.
Importantly, the GPhC has explained that it cannot provide the advice about indemnity cover, because offering advice to pharmacists about their individual insurance options is an activity that can only be undertaken by providers that are subject to Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulation. The GPhC have urged pharmacists to speak to a suitably FCA regulated provider to help them make an informed decision about the appropriate level of cover they will need, as pharmacists will need to be able to justify the decisions that they have made regarding their indemnity insurance.
Pharmacists can be reassured that the PDA fulfils this FCA regulatory requirement and they can be confident that the advice that they receive fulfils the GPhC’s guidance.
Pharmacists are urged to check whether the organisation that provides them with their indemnity insurance is FCA regulated and as this is a regulated activity, they should always be very cautious about advice being offered from non FCA regulated sources.
How the PDA can help
The PDA not only arranges indemnity insurance for its members, but additionally it provides access to professional support, advice and wide range of additional benefits designed specifically for pharmacists.
The PDA continues to advocate for pharmacists to be able to practise with confidence, knowing they have access to appropriate professional protection as their responsibilities evolve.
Learn more
- GPhC Indemnity requirements
- Understanding indemnity arrangements for pharmacists
- Indemnity cover for pharmacists involved in private online prescribing clinics is available from the PDA
Not yet a PDA member?
If you have not yet joined the PDA, we encourage you to join today and ask your colleagues to do the same.
Membership is FREE to pharmacy students, trainee pharmacists, and for the first three months of being newly qualified.
Read about our key member benefits here.