The Pharmaceutical Society NI today (Monday 1 December 2025) launched new Professional Standards for Chief Pharmacists in Northern Ireland.
The standards aim to strengthen medicines governance, promote consistency across the Health and Social Care system, and align professional oversight with UK-wide approaches. They also support compliance with the Pharmacy (Preparation and Dispensing Errors – Hospital and Other Pharmacy Services) Order 2022, which introduced important legal protections for pharmacy professionals in hospital and other exempt settings.
Hospital pharmacies in Northern Ireland operate under legislative exemptions, meaning pharmacy staff do not benefit from the same legal defences as those in registered pharmacies. The new standards address this disparity by ensuring hospital pharmacy services are subject to equivalent professional oversight and governance. They reinforce the critical role of Chief Pharmacists in safeguarding medicines governance, quality, and safety.
The standards were developed following extensive engagement, including a public consultation and input from Chief Pharmacists and other stakeholders. They reflect feedback on clarity, proportionality, and alignment with UK-wide practice.
You can access the Professional Standards for Chief Pharmacists in Northern Ireland, along with the Consultation Report and Equality Impact Assessment, using the below links.
Professional Standards for Chief Pharmacists in Northern Ireland
Consultation Report on the Draft Professional Standards for Chief Pharmacists in Northern Ireland