AQW 4843/17-22

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 15/06/2020
Answered On Date: 19/06/2020
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health for his assessment of the safety risk to both patients and pharmacists from the shortage of community pharmacists.

Answer:

The Health and Social Care Board (HSCB), as commissioner of community pharmacy services, has advised that community pharmacies are continuing to provide pharmaceutical services in both a professional and safe manner and it is not aware of any apparent known safety risks to patients or pharmacists as a consequence of a shortage of community pharmacists in Northern Ireland.

In accordance with the professional standards of conduct, ethics and performance for pharmacists in Northern Ireland, a community pharmacist would be professionally obligated to notify the HSCB immediately should they ever become unable to deliver pharmaceutical services in a manner that was both safe to them and their patients.