READ MORE:
Business Consultant Pharmacist
Primary Care Pharmacist Consultant
Qualified Persons In The Pharmaceutical Industry
Since the well-being of patients is at stake, pharmacists have always exercised a great deal of care in all of their professional dealings. As medicines have become more potent, this duty of care has become even more pronounced. In many instances i.e. when working in a community or hospital pharmacy, the Code of Ethics and other standards produced by the RPSGB have guided pharmacists, enabling them to understand and hence adopt practices that are acceptable for the profession. Additionally, pharmacists could always consult with colleagues who were experienced in specific aspects of pharmaceutical service.
The NHS plan for pharmacy document, has consolidated a new momentum within the profession and has led an increasing number of pharmacists to take on roles that have previously not seen a pharmacy involvement. Whilst these developments are a step forward for the profession, there is little in the way of published guidance or available experience to assist. As such, these new roles represent professionally uncharted waters and inherently attract a much greater degree of risk for the individual pharmacists providing them. With the introduction of prescribing analysis, repeat prescribing review, formulary development, the setting up and running of specialist clinics, developing new systems, to name but a few, 'specialist' pharmacists are now selling their services to GP surgeries, Health Authorities and Boards, local community pharmacies, hospices and a variety of others.
Sadly though, as the activities become ever more diverse, the recipients of the services are becoming ever more litigation conscious. If a GP surgery has paid a fee for the provision of a service, there are likely to be consequences if something goes wrong. Moreover, since there is little in the way of test case experience in this newest of pharmacy developmental areas, any legal proceedings taken to apportion blame could be long and arduous. There are many additional and more common sources of conflict e.g. the pursuit of a claim if you are injured whilst at work or even a conflict with the local RPSGB Inspector. Furthermore, should there be a need for legal advice or representation at a coroner's inquest, RPSGB Statutory Committee or even a compensation payment to a client or patient, the resultant costs could be well beyond the means of a pharmacist.
Click here for PIA Primary Care Pharmacist insurance which is now available through The PDA.
Such insurance represents the only realistic way in which these costs could be met and such a policy can now be taken out in your own right. The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain is now bringing this need to the attention of all pharmacists. Indeed the RPSGB Code of Ethics now requires all pharmacists to work with PI insurance protection.
This Pharmacy Insurance Agency (PIA) policy has been designed specifically for the protection of the individual pharmacist, it meets fully with the requirements of primary care pharmacist consultants. Whether you are an employed community, hospital or self employed locum pharmacist occasionally offering 'primary care consultancy' services, or whether you are involved in 'primary care consultancy' in a full time capacity, this PIA scheme has been designed is such a way as to give that much required PEACE OF MIND. It provides cover not only when you are providing specialist services but also when you perform the more traditional community, hospital or locum based activities. The policy also introduces further flexibility in that it provides a choice of coverage.