Operating in the Absence of a Responsible Pharmacist SOP

							         Standard Operating Procedure for
           Operating in the Absence of a
             Responsible Pharmacist


Purpose:
This SOP sets out the procedure for which pharmacy staff should follow in the
eventuality that the Responsible Pharmacist (RP) is absent from the
premises.




Scope:
This SOP covers all eventualities proceeding to the absence of an RP.




Responsibility:
It is the responsibility of all staff to understand this SOP, as it effects how the
entire pharmacy work force should behave.




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Standard              Operating in the Absence of a
Operating               Responsible Pharmacist
Procedure               Responsibility: Pharmacist [P], Technician [T], Assistant [A],
                                            Superintendent [S].


Process Steps                                Key Points
1. The Responsible Pharmacist (RP)           Make sure all staff understand what the     [P]
realises that they need to leave the         legislation means.                          [T]
premises.                                                                                [A]
                                             The pharmacist must abide by certain
Make sure that the RP tells staff well in    rules if they are to leave the premises
advance that they are going to leave the     these include:
premises.
                                             •  The designated RP may not leave
Make sure that the RP has already signed        the premises for more than 2 hours in
the Pharmacy Record and that they               any 24 hour period.
understand they should not be absent for     The RP must remain contactable I.e.
more than 2 hours.                           Must leave a working mobile phone
                                             number.
2.The RP leaves the Pharmacy.                When the RP leaves the pharmacy             [T]
                                             make sure they sign the Pharmacy            [A]
When this occurs make sure staff know to     Record, filling the appropriate fields.
act appropriately when the pharmacist is
off the premises. Make an appropriate        Designated staff may offer advice on P
record in the pharmacy record.               medicines, and may sell GSL's if
                                             deemed fit. Make sure that there is an
P medicines and POM's cannot be given        adequate record of who is deemed
out whilst the RP is absent.                 qualified.
3. After 1 and a half hours of absence.      If the pharmacist cannot return within 2    [T]
                                             hours of absence then the                   [A]
If the pharmacist has not returned after one superintendent should be telephoned to
hour. A designated member of staff should ascertain what is the best course of
contact the pharmacist immediately to        action. This may involve closing the
ascertain when they will return.             pharmacy completely.
4. Absence of the RP after 2 hours.          No medicines may sold at this point until [T]
                                             the RP returns.                           [A]
If the pharmacist has not returned within                                              [S]
two hours then the pharmacy cannot sell
any medicines.
5. The return of the RP.                  If the RP returns the next working day         [P]
                                          then they should sign in a soon as
Make sure the RP signs into the pharmacy possible. The Pharmacy Record should
record noting the duration of absence and be kept for a minimum of 5 years.

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reason (GP).

Known Risks:




Additional notes:




Review procedure:
This SOP is dynamic, and should be constantly updated when and where necessary. The
above box can be filled concerning new staff, adverse incidents or any new circumstance
which arise after the publication of this first version. If no errors, incidences or RPSGB
recommendations occur a review will be carried out every six months starting from the
creation date*. This review will update the SOP content and format with the goal to
enable reduction of error within the pharmacy.

I have signed to say that I have read and understood the instructions overleaf.
 Name                           Signature                    Date




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