The Responsible Pharmacist Standard Operating Procedure

Description

Procedure 1. Assume the duties of Responsible Pharmacist (RP) Ensure that you have completed the Pharmacist Notice legibly and display it in a position which is clearly visible to customers. Details that should be contained on the Notice, include: Your name Your GPhC registration number The fact you are in charge of the pharmacy at the time. 2. Enter your details into the Pharmacist record. This may be presented to you locally as a paper copy (termed Pharmacy Record) or stored on the PMR. If your pharmacy has a hubnet account, these details can be recorded within the cloud by going to Logs>Responsibe pharmacist. To be legally valid you must enter your GPhC registration number and name into the record if new to the system. The date and time of signing on as responsible pharmacist is automatically updated if using an electronic PMR however in the paper version you must write when you have ceased being the RP. Some pharmacists find it useful to create an alarm on the PMR or on their mobile device as a reminder to sign off at the end of the day. This can be usually be set up via utilities/maintenance/alarm clock. 3. Check that the online record/record book is up to date. When making an entry check that the previous entry is correct i.e.: The date that the last Responsible Pharmacist commenced, Their full name Their GPhC registration number, The time using the 24-hour clock that the RP started. Any amendments need to be initialled and dated- not deleted. 4. Handover notes. Check the handover notes, instructions or information from the previous RP in the communications book. If necessary, contact previous RP to resolve any issues. 5. Ceasing the duties of the RP You must cease to be the RP if: The role of RP is to be assumed immediately by another pharmacist, It is the close of trading at the end of the day, You are no longer able to continue your duties (e.g. sickness). 6. Sign off and take down your notice. Remove or amend the RP notice on display when you cease to act as RP that day. Sign off as responsible pharmacist on PMR, or make an entry in the record book recording the time (using the 24-hour clock) that you ceased to be the RP. 7. Create handover notes if necessary. Communicate any necessary handover notes, instructions or information via the communications book or in-person if another pharmacist is assuming the role of RP immediately. Leave contact details in the communications book for the next RP in case contact is required to resolve any outstanding issues. If the next RP is unable to assume duties immediately, pharmacy staff must ascertain the expected arrival time of the RP and inform customers of when a pharmacist is due to arrive.