On 7 August 2025 the Pharmaceutical Society NI launched its public consultation on the proposed Standards for Chief Pharmacists in Northern Ireland.
These standards are being developed in response to legislative changes introduced through The Pharmacy (Preparation and Dispensing Errors – Hospital and Other Pharmacy Services) Order 2022, which amended the Medicines Act 1968. These changes provide Pharmaceutical Society NI with powers to define the responsibilities of Chief Pharmacists and to set standards of conduct and performance.
The legislation also extends the legal defences available to pharmacy professionals in the event of inadvertent preparation and dispensing errors, provided that appropriate governance arrangements are in place. These include clear lines of accountability and defined responsibilities for Chief Pharmacists. The proposed standards are intended to support these governance requirements and help ensure that pharmacy professionals are protected where robust systems are in place.
The Society welcomes all views on the proposals and encourages all interested parties to take part in the consultation, which is now live and available on the Consultation page of our website.
The consultation will run until 5pm on Thursday 2 October 2025.