The following is a list of statutory legislation relating to pharmacy in Northern Ireland. Click here to view list.
This list is not exhaustive or exclusive and other legislation should be researched on the government website www.legislation.gov.uk.
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The Code, Standards and Guidance
THE CODE FOR PHARMACISTS IN NORTHERN IRELAND
All pharmacists registered in Northern Ireland are required to comply with the Pharmaceutical Society NI’s (the Society’s) Code of Conduct, Ethics and Performance for Pharmacists as a condition of registration. A revised Code came into effect on Monday, 26 January 2026, and can be accessed here.
All fitness to practise matters relating to the period from Tuesday 1 March 2016 up to and including Sunday 25 January 2026, are governed by the previous Code, which can be accessed here.
The Code sets out the professional standards of conduct, ethics and performance expected of all pharmacists. It applies to pharmacists in all roles and settings and governs professional behaviour both within and outside the direct practice of pharmacy.
Professional Standards
The new Code (26 January 2026) is built around seven mandatory standards, which describe the behaviours and values expected of all pharmacists:
- Provide person-centred care
Take steps to ensure care is safe, effective, compassionate and inclusive. - Act with professionalism and integrity
Demonstrate professionalism at all times and be open and honest. - Communicate effectively
Use clear, appropriate and respectful communication with patients, colleagues and others involved in care. - Collaborate with colleagues
Work in partnership with others to support safe and effective care. - Raise concerns
Speak up about unsafe practices, risks to patients, or concerns about professional conduct. - Commit to development
Maintain, develop and improve your professional knowledge and skills. - Lead by example
Support and guide colleagues through positive engagement and professional behaviour.
CODE, STANDARDS AND GUIDANCE NEWS AND UPDATES
28 January 2025 - Premises Standards
Standards and the new enforcement powers granted by The Pharmacy (Premises Standards, Information Obligations, etc.) Order 2016.
Our plan is to engage with stakeholders throughout 2025, with the aim of finalising associated guidance documents to enable a go live later this year.
We will be running a series of workshops prior to the new inspection methodology going live.
Please keep an eye out for further information and updates on this project. We look forward to working together to ensure a smooth and successful implementation”.
PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS AND GUIDANCE DOCUMENTS
Supporting professional standards and guidance documents have been developed to expand upon the principles of the Code of Ethics for specific areas of practice or professional activities. These are:
- Professional Standards and Guidance for Patient Confidentiality March 2016
- Professional Standards and Guidance for the Sale and Supply of Medicines March 2016
- Professional Standards and Guidance for Advertising Medicines and Professional Services March 2016
- Professional Standards and Guidance for Internet Pharmacy Services March 2016
- Standards and Guidance for Pharmacist Prescribing – issued on 17 April 2013
- Professional Standards and Guidance on the Responsible Pharmacist Regulations March 2016
- Pharmacy Premise Standards (Community)
- CPD Framework and Standards 2021 (Revised June 2024)
- Professional Standards for Chief Pharmacists in Northern Ireland
Due to recent updates to certain PDF software, users may experience difficulties in opening some of these documents. We are aware of the problem and are currently working on a solution. Should you require a document, and it doesn’t open properly, please contact the office on 028 90326927 and we will provide an alternative copy. We apologise for any inconvenience.
PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE DOCUMENTS
- Guidance on the Provision of Services – February 2021
- Guidance on Patient Consent – November 2019
- Guidance on Raising Concerns (Whistleblowing) – June 2019
- Guidance on maintaining clear sexual boundaries with patients and carers – July 2019
- Guidance for Hospital Pharmacists on the Responsible Pharmacist Regulations
- Guidance on Prescription Collection and/or Delivery Services March 2016
Due to recent updates to certain PDF software, users may experience difficulties in opening some of these documents. We are aware of the problem and are currently working on a solution. Should you require a document, and it doesn’t open properly, please contact the office on 028 90326927 and we will provide an alternative copy. We apologise for any inconvenience.
Following a review of our current Standards and Guidance documents the Council, at its meeting of 10 April 2018, agreed to remove the following documents:
- Practice Update on Codeine Containing Products
- Supplementary Professional Guidance for Pharmacist in NI on the Provision of Homeopathic Products within a Pharmacy
The rationale for removing these documents is that following the publication of the New Code in February 2016, the Council believes that Registrants, using their professional judgement and expertise, are well placed to deal with the issues contained within these documents, without additional guidance or commentary from the Regulator.
REGULATORS' JOINT STATEMENTS
- Joint Statement – Benefits of becoming a reflective practitioner
- Joint Statement – Openness and honesty – the professional duty of candour
- Joint Statement – Principles for good practice in remote consultations and prescribing
- Joint Statement – How to keep safe when getting medicines or treatment online
STATUS OF STANDARDS AND GUIDANCE
The Society has a statutory obligation to set standards and, as a professional requirement of registration, all pharmacists in Northern Ireland are expected to abide by the Pharmaceutical Society NI Code.
The Code sets the standards of professional conduct, ethics and performance for all pharmacists, and details five mandatory principles that explain the required standards of professional behaviour.
Any failure to follow standards issued by the Society may be taken into account in any proceedings against a registered person under the Pharmacy (NI) Order 1976, and registration may be at risk.
Paragraph 1(3) of Schedule 3 of the Pharmacy (NI) Order 1976 refers:
“(3) Where any registered person is alleged to have failed to comply with standards set under this paragraph, that failure—
(a)is not, of itself, to be taken to constitute misconduct on the registered person’s part; but
(b)is to be taken into account in any proceedings against the registered person under this Order.”
Standard 6.3 of the Code states that pharmacists must, “Stay up to date with relevant legislation, standards and guidance.”
Guidance is designed to provide additional support to registrants in understanding standards, or to describe the approach the Society will take in enforcing standards.
Some documents will contain both mandatory professional standards (indicated by the word ‘must’ and ‘have to’), as well as guidance on good practice (indicated by the word ‘should’, ‘might’, ‘may’, ‘would’, ‘will’ and ‘could’) which should be followed in all normal circumstances to ensure the safe and effective practise of pharmacy. Pharmacists should use their professional judgement when applying guidance in practice and be able to justify their decisions.”