PHARMACEUTICAL SOCIETY OF IRELAND

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Welcome to The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland – Cumann Cógaiseoirí na hÉireann

The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) was established under the Pharmacy Act 2007 as the pharmacy regulator. (Click here to view the Pharmacy Act 2007 in Irish.) The PSI acts in the interests of patient safety and public protection to regulate the pharmacy professions.

The PSI is now accepting applications for the 2010/2011 National Pharmacy Internship Programme. Click here for further details.

DRAFT GUIDELINES ON SOURCING, STORAGE AND DISPOSAL OF MEDICINES

The PSI (Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland), the pharmacy regulator, has published draft guidelines for public consultation on the sourcing, storage and disposal of medicinal products within retail pharmacy businesses (pharmacies).

The draft guidelines are designed to facilitate compliance with the Regulations governing the operation of pharmacies and the Pharmacy Act 2007.

They state that a pharmacy should operate a comprehensive, auditable system for the control and maintenance of an appropriate level of legitimate stock, held within appropriate storage conditions and facilities. Pharmacies must only source medicinal products from an authorised manufacturer or an authorised wholesaler.

The guidelines also outline that the disposal of medicinal products within a pharmacy must be carried out in a manner which will not result in any danger to public health or any risk to the environment.

The period of public consultation on the draft guidelines will close at 5pm, Friday 17 September, 2010.

The draft guidelines in full are available to view and download here.

Comments are welcome in writing to consultation@pharmaceuticalsociety.ie or to Public Consultation, Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland, 18 Shrewsbury Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.

PUBLIC CONSULTATION - DRAFT INTERIM ACCREDITATION STANDARDS

The PSI (Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland), the pharmacy regulator, has published draft interim accreditation standards for public consultation in connection with the level 9 Masters degree that is awarded on the successful completion of the National Pharmacy Internship Programme.

You are invited to submit your views on these draft interim accreditation standards. Comments are welcome in writing to education@pharmaceuticalsociety.ie or to Public Consultation (Accreditation Standards), Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland, 18 Shrewsbury Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. Please note that all submissions are subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Acts 1997-2003.

Following this consultation process and consideration and analysis of submissions received, the draft interim accreditation standards will be reviewed for submission to Council for its approval. Council will have regard to all submissions when making its decisions. The PSI will publish on its website a collated version of all written comments received in response to the public consultation and the PSI’s response.

The closing date for the public consultation on the draft interim accreditation standards is 5pm on Tuesday, 31 August 2010.

The draft standards in full are available to view and download here.

PSI PRACTICE NOTICE RE SUPPLY OF MEDICINES TO PATIENTS IN NURSING HOMES

The PSI has published an important Practice Notice in relation to the supply of medicines to patients in nursing homes or other residential care settings.

This Notice is further to earlier guidance issued in the form of a letter to all superintendent pharmacists and is intended as a reminder to all pharmacists of certain requirements which must be fulfilled in order to meet their professional obligations to those patients.

The Notice highlights in particular the requirements around:
•    The legal basis of supply of prescription-only medicines
•    Review of prescribed medicine therapy
•    Patient counselling, including the necessity of the pharmacist to personally attend on patients in order to fully carry out these and other obligations
•    Safe delivery of medicines
•    Standard operating procedures
•    Medication monitoring and review, in conjunction with the other health professionals involved in the care of these patients.

The PSI is continuing to work with HIQA and other health regulators to ensure that the safety and quality of the care of these patients is assured.

Pharmacists, and in particular superintendent and supervising pharmacists, have key roles and responsibilities in ensuring that patients living in nursing homes or other residential facilities are provided with safe and quality care, to ensure the best possible outcomes for each patient.

Pharmacists also have a key role in protecting vulnerable patients and in ensuring that the rights of each patient are being respected, including their dignity, autonomy and entitlements.

GUIDANCE ON SAFE SUPPLY OF CODEINE MEDICINES

The PSI Council has approved guidance for pharmacists on the safe supply to patients of non-prescription medicines containing codeine.

The aim of this guidance is to ensure the safe and rational use of these medicines and to assist pharmacists in discharging their professional obligations to patients seeking advice, guidance or assistance in using these medicines.

From 1 August 2010, all pharmacists and retail pharmacy businesses (pharmacies) will be required to comply with the guidance in full.

Public Consultation Document on Non-Prescription Medicinal Products Containing Codeine
The guidance was previously issued in draft form for public consultation and the document containing the various submissions received in the consultation process, along with formal responses, has been published on here.

The press release concerning the publication of the guidelines can be found in Latest News.

PSI GUIDELINES ON PATIENT CONSULTATION AREAS

The PSI has published guidelines on patient consultation areas in retail pharmacy businesses (pharmacies). All pharmacies must have this facility available for private consultation and patient counselling from 1 November, 2010.

The facility for confidential conversation between a pharmacist and a patient about their medication and other health-related matters is internationally recognised as being an essential element of good pharmacy practice. The provision of patient consultation areas in pharmacies in Ireland will enhance the professional interaction and relationship between pharmacists and their patients, and will enable pharmacists to further develop their role in the multidisciplinary team involved in patient care.

The public should be aware that the term ‘patient’, as used by the PSI, refers to everybody using the professional services of a pharmacy or a pharmacist and includes people needing both prescription and non-prescription medicines, as well as information and advice about their medicine use or other health-related issues.

The guidelines in full are available to view and download here.

Public Consultation Document on Patient Consultation Areas
The guidelines were previously issued in draft form for public consultation and the document containing the various submissions received in the consultation process, along with formal responses, has also been published here.

The press release concerning the publication of the guidelines can be found in Latest News.

LETTER TO SUPERINTENDENT PHARMACISTS RE RESPONSIBILITIES TO PATIENTS LIVING IN RESIDENTIAL CARE SETTINGS FOR OLDER PEOPLE

A letter outlining the responsibilities of pharmacists in respect of patients of the retail pharmacy business(es) for which they are responsible, who are living in residential care settings for older people, was recently sent by the PSI Registrar/CEO, Dr Ambrose McLoughlin, to all superintendent pharmacists. Click here to read the letter in full.

PANDEMIC (H1N1) 2009 UPDATES

Information and updates regarding the pandemic are available under the News section. Click on Pandemic News for more information.
Recent updates include:
•   Recommendations on Retail Pharmacy Business Continuity Planning.
•   Information Article for Pharmacists on Dispensing of Oseltamivir.
•   Pharmacists Urged to get Swine Flu Vaccine.

REGISTERS OF PHARMACIES AND PHARMACISTS
Under the Pharmacy Act 2007, the PSI maintains registers of retail pharmacy businesses (pharmacies), pharmacists and pharmaceutical assistants.

These registers are published online and are accessible and available to view on this website via the ‘Search our Registers’ button on the top right hand corner of this page.
From 01 January 2009, a pharmacy must be registered as a retail pharmacy business in the register kept by the PSI in order to operate and comply with the Pharmacy Act 2007.

Pharmacists and pharmaceutical assistants must be registered in the registers kept by the PSI in order to practise.

The PSI would like to thank all pharmacy owners, pharmacists and pharmaceutical assistants for their co-operation with the implementation of the new legislation.

CODE OF CONDUCT

The Pharmacy Act 2007 provides for a statutory Code of Conduct for pharmacists. This Code, which was formally laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas in February 2009, outlines the principles and ethical standards which govern pharmacists in the practice of their profession.

Any person dealing with a pharmacist, whether as a patient, a healthcare professional or a member of the public, is entitled to expect that a pharmacist will conduct himself/herself in accordance with the principles of the Code of Conduct for pharmacists.

Under Part 6 of the Pharmacy Act 2007, which relates to complaints, inquiries and discipline, breaches of the Code may be regarded as professional misconduct.

Click here to download the Code in full.

MAKING A COMPLAINT ABOUT A PHARMACIST OR PHARMACY
The PSI is the appropriate body to make a complaint about a pharmacist or retail pharmacy business (pharmacy). If you are not happy with the treatment you have received in a pharmacy, or if you have concerns about the behaviour, conduct, practice or health of a pharmacist, you can contact the PSI. Click here to view the PSI’s Guide to Making a Complaint about a Pharmacist or Retail Pharmacy Business. The PSI’s Complaint Form can be downloaded here.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF SUPERINTENDENT PHARMACISTS
The Pharmacy Act 2007 introduces a new professional management structure in pharmacies through the roles and responsibilities of the superintendent pharmacist and the supervising pharmacist.

The management and administration of the sale and supply of medicinal products is under the personal control of the superintendent pharmacist who is essentially the person in overall control of the legal, professional and clinical policies pursued in the retail pharmacy business.

The supervising pharmacist is in wholetime charge of the carrying on of the business and is essentially the person responsible for the day-to-day management and operation of the pharmacy.

Click here to view a letter from the PSI Registrar to superintendent pharmacists outlining their responsibilities under the Pharmacy Act 2007.

HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE REGULATORY FORUM
The PSI and other health and social care regulators participate in a forum to facilitate coordination between the various organisations, and to share knowledge and expertise on matters of common interest, for the benefit of public health and safety. Below is a list of the Forum members and their websites.

An Bord Altranais - www.nursingboard.ie
Dental Council - www.dentalcouncil.ie
Food Safety Authority Ireland - www.fsai.ie
Health and Safety Authority – www.hsa.ie
Health and Social Care Professionals Council – www.coru.ie
Health Information and Quality Authority – www.hiqa.ie
Irish Medicines Board – www.imb.ie
Medical Council – www.medicalcouncil.ie
Mental Health Commission – www.mhcirl.ie
National Social Work Qualifications Board – www.nswqb.ie
Opticians Board – www.opticiansboard.ie
Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council – www.phecit.ie
Radiological Protection Institute – www.rpii.ie
Veterinary Council – www.vci.ie

Search our Registers

Click here to search our public registers

Registrant Login

Click here to access the PSI online facility