The Pharmaceutical Society NI has noted recent media reports regarding online private prescribing practices, particularly for weight loss drugs. In response, there were calls for stricter regulations for pharmacists, including in-person consultations for certain medications such as weight loss drugs. Additionally, there were calls to ensure that financial targets do not influence clinical prescribing decisions.
The Pharmaceutical Society NI acknowledges the criticisms of using surveys for prescribing weight loss drugs and the associated safety risks. The Pharmaceutical Society NI Code of Practice clearly outlines expectations for pharmacists involved in prescribing or dispensing such medicines. According to our Code, the wellbeing of patients must always be a pharmacist’s priority.
Pharmacists working in Northern Ireland and through online services should ensure they are fully up to date with the Code, ourStandards and Guidance for Internet Pharmacy Services and our Standards and Guidance for Pharmacist Prescribing.
We have also published, along-side other regulators, a joint statement setting out the principles expected for safe prescribing on-line and a resource for patients on how to keep safe when buying medicines online.
Specifically, our Code states:
“Always consider, and act in, the best interests of the patient or service user.”
“Ensure that your professional judgement is not compromised by personal or commercial interests, incentives, targets or similar measures.”
“Ensure that you do not, whether by your actions or omissions, create a risk to patient care or public safety.”
“Ensure you are aware of and adhere to all relevant legislation, and all current standards and guidance which apply to your practice.”
The Pharmaceutical Society NI welcomes the pending publication of new updated guidance by the General Pharmaceutical Council in GB.
Following this we will be making updates to our prescribing standards and guidance for internet pharmacy services and Code to ensure, where possible, alignment across the UK, and clarity for pharmacists registered with us.
It is our job to support pharmacists in delivering safe care to patients. If there is concern about a pharmacist, we need to hear about it so that we can take appropriate action, addressing what went wrong and why. Should you be concerned about a Northern Ireland pharmacist’s online prescribing practices please can contact us through our website at www.psni.org.uk or by telephone on 02890 326 927.
Resources for pharmacists
- The Code: 22504-PSNI-Code-of-Practice-Book-final.pdf
- Standards and guidance for internet pharmacy: Professional standards and guidance for internet pharmacy services
- Standards and Guidance for Pharmacy Prescribing: Standards-and-Guidance-for-Pharmacist-Prescribing-April-2013.pdf
- Joint Regulators Statement on remote prescribing: High-level-principles-remote-prescribing-.pdf
Resourced for patients and the public