Pharmacy is a highly regulated profession and occasionally pharmacists may face prosecution.
Historically, pharmacists may have been prosecuted for offences against the 1968 Medicines Act, the 1954 Pharmacy Act and the Misuse of Drugs Act. In recent years, however, the Crown Prosecution Service has considered gross negligence manslaughter proceedings against pharmacists for errors causing death.
CONSIDER THIS
Allegations of criminal conduct are becoming an increasing problem for pharmacists, as authorities move to progressively tighten up on enforcement and employers/contractors seek ever greater control over their businesses and employees/locums. There is also an increasing tendency to invoke the criminal law and impose criminal sanction for acts which 10 or 20 years ago would have attracted (at most) a civil penalty.
LITTLE EXPERIENCE
Pharmacists generally have little or no experience of being under investigation, do not know their legal rights and are easily intimidated by such situations. Finding yourself the focus of investigations which have professional or criminal implications can therefore be a frightening and daunting experience, to the extent that (in the hope of bringing matters to a swift conclusion) you may be tempted to make statements and do things that you later regret and which you certainly would be legally advised not to do. In some instances, the police are put under pressure by a family of a patient to pursue gross negligence manslaughter proceedings against a pharmacist who they see as being linked to the death of their loved one.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO WHEN FACED WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF CRIMINAL PROSECUTION?
Try to be aware of the dangers to which the increasingly litigation-prone world and increasing statutory requirements in the practice of your profession make you ever more prone.
As a pharmacist you MUST realize that you need to defend your position from the outset, no matter how uncomfortable that may be temporarily. Specialist advice and representation is essential from the very moment that it becomes clear allegations may be made against you. You must seek out, demand and obtain professional advice and assistance as early as possible in any situation where you are accused of criminal or contractual wrongdoing, negligence, etc. of any kind. Resist the temptation to deal with matters yourself in the hope of ‘nipping it in the bud’ – as it rarely works. No matter how much you have enjoyed working for your employer, in the event of a serious incident, you are strongly urged not to rely upon your employer’s offer of support for your defence costs. This gives your employer the opportunity to influence your defence in a way that may be detrimental to your interests, but which may be beneficial to your employer’s interests.
If you are faced with the unfortunate situation where you may be wrongly accused of an unlawful act, you must defend yourself.
DEFEND YOURSELF:
If you are facing an investigation that could lead to a prosecution, contact the PDA on 0121 694 7007. We will:
- Give you independent advice
- Give you practical support by providing you with an experienced advisor to assist you in any proceedings that may be instigated
Remember, as a member you are covered by insurance* providing up to £500,000 in defence of any unintentional acts which may lead to prosecution arising from pharmacist’s duties or for any civil proceedings brought under the Race Relations, Sex Discrimination or Data Protection Act.
*The insurance included with PDA membership is arranged and administered by The Pharmacy Insurance Agency (PIA) Ltd who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Register No 307063).