The PDA’s campaign to end violence in pharmacies has significantly increased the profile of the subject in recent weeks, including articles in national broadcast and print media. The union also secured commitments from employer organisations towards zero tolerance of violence and had campaign endorsements from politicians and police.
Today the GPhC chief executive, Duncan Rudkin, issued a statement on the topic which said “…abuse of pharmacy staff is completely unacceptable. We have also provided advice in response to issues raised with us, including advising that pharmacy staff should not be asked to work alone because of potential risks to their safety, as well as safety of patients and the public. Our regulatory standards and guidance are there to help safeguard pharmacy staff, as well as patients and members of the public.”
The full GPhC statement can be read here
The PDA welcome this statement. PDA Director, Paul Day said “We have called on all stakeholders in the sector to unite to end violence in pharmacies. The first objective of our campaign is for zero tolerance and we are delighted to see the regulator take that position. We encourage all other pharmacy organisations to echo that statement too, so that the sector is publicly united on the subject.
The fifth of the campaign objectives is for regulatory standards which place more robust requirements on pharmacy owners, superintendents, chief pharmacists and managers to ensure the safety of staff. Applying such standards is something the regulator can do to support the position they have taken in their statement today.”
Learn more about the PDA anti-violence policy here: www.the-pda.org/violence-in-pharmacy.